Peter Stumpf (cellist)

Peter Stumpf is the former principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He was educated first at the Curtis Institute of Music as a student of Orlando Cole and then the New England Conservatory. He started his professional career at age sixteen as a cellist in the Hartford Symphony, then spent twelve years as associate principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra, before assuming his position at the start of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2002/2003 season.[1] He took a year's sabbatical from the LA Phil in 2011 to teach full-time at Indiana University's Jacob School of Music.[2] He left the orchestra permanently in 2012.[citation needed]

Stumpf is also the cellist of the Johannes String Quartet.[3] Musicians he has collaborated with include Emanuel Ax, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Mitsuko Uchida, and the Emerson String Quartet.[4]

Stumpf has also taught the cello at the New England Conservatory and USC Thornton School of Music,[1][5]

Stolen cello

On April 27, 2004, the General Kyd, a $3.5 million Stradivarius on loan to Stumpf from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was stolen after he left it on his porch.[6][7] It was discovered in a dumpster by Melanie Stevens, a thirty-year-old nurse, after a home surveillance video from across the street showed the cello being lifted by a clumsy thief on a bicycle at around 6:30 am.[7][8][9] Stevens initially asked her boyfriend to turn it into a CD cabinet, though a week and a half later, she caught a news report about the missing cello and the $50,000 reward for its return.[8] She identified it on the police website and sought to return it, with the aid of a lawyer.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "Musician Details: Peter Stumpf". Los Angeles Philharmonic. April 2007. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  2. ^ Haven, CK Dexter (June 15, 2011). "LA Phil comings and goings (part 1 of 3): As the Principal Cello chair turns . . ". All is Yar. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  3. ^ "Johannes String Quartet Biography". Frank Salomon Associates. 2007. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  4. ^ "Saint Paul Sunday: Johannes String Quartet". American Public Media. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  5. ^ "Faculty Profiles: Peter Stumpf". University of Southern California. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  6. ^ Clarke, Sean (May 19, 2004). "Stradivarius saved from future as novelty CD rack". The Guardian. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c Wood, Daniel B (May 20, 2004). "The return of a rare cello leaves a trail of question marks". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  8. ^ a b "Rare cello escapes CD rack fate". BBC News. May 19, 2004. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  9. ^ Pearson, Ryan (May 18, 2004). "Stolen Stradivarius cello almost ended up as CD holder". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2007.