Violin Swindler Article Update & A Book Deal?

This is a bit of an update from a previous entry on violin dealer con-artist Joseph Tang. Remember him? The San Francisco Chronicle's piece followed up on the story with Tang pleading guilty to all original federal indictment charges. He pleaded guilty last week to mail and wire fraud, after scamming 10 people out of about $400,000 in connection with the sale and consignment of string instruments from April 2002 to December 2006.

A plea deal was reached where prosecutors have agreed not to file additional charges arising from their investigation. Tang may face up to 20 years in prison for each count, but prosecutors have agreed to ask for no more than 33 months if Tang has no prior criminal record. As a Canadian citizen, Mr. Tang is also facing the possibility of deportation.

[ Violins acquired by Bob Ng from Joseph Hokai Tang]

Aside from the hard facts, the article fleshes out the story with remarks and anecdotes by a peripheral of characters such as local amateur cellist-collector San Friscan Bob Ng, prominent musicians, Jason Price of Tarisio, and a court case involving dealers suing the other for loss.

One thing that really caught my attention though was Mr. Tang was quoted as saying:

"All I need to say is I've been approached for a book deal. ... It'll be about the whole violin business"

This was said right after he declined to comment and left the courtroom pleading guilty. After all he's done, I couldn't believe he had the gull to say that. In a small world of classical music where relationships close and are built upon mutual trust, you would think that he would try to hold onto some dignity with apologies or reconciliations. Instead, he turns himself into a self-promotional advert. I can imagine the title to his new book "Confessions of a Violin Thief."

Maybe Mr. Tang should have read up on another author that this article looked into; Berkley Attorney and violin-maker Carla Shapreau. I'm going to take a look into a book that she's co-authored called "Violin Fraud: Deception, Forgery, Theft, and Lawsuits in England and America."

Omaha Symphony Pops: A Tribute to John Williams

Omaha Symphony Pops: Tribute to John Williams
Friday, May 16, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
Kiewit Concert Hall
Holland Performing Arts Center

The Omaha Symphony’s Pops series concludes with A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS this Friday through Sunday at the Holland Performing Arts Center. One of the most popular and successful modern American composers, Williams has composed the music for nearly 80 films, including Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler's List. You can join Maestro Wilkins & the orchestra as they pay tribute to this five-time Academy Award and 17-time GRAMMY® Award winner.

Happy Birthday Corner Violin Shop! You're 1 Year Old and Counting

It all started with my first entry on May 15, 2007. It's now been a little under two years since I've started working here and I've certainly learned a lot.

With a few weeks left at the shop and as I get ready to head off to architecture school, what does the future of the blog hold? Hopefully more bloggers to add! While I haven't discussed the details with Alex, I might be hired to write some entries about string trends on the net or business. For now, the immediate goal is to get our new employees to blog a bit about their daily shop (good luck if I'll ever get Matt or Maddy to blog on their own).

You've already met Matt and Maddy, informally from previous entries, but with the expansion of the business we've recruited Cassy johnsonas my new replacement. Like Maddy, Cassy is a graduating viola performance major from Hastings College but she also brings to the table a background in business administration (something this shop has desperately needed). Joining us for a short time this summer is intern Daniel Jacobsen. He has background in music as well (piano and violin) and is a communications major at Gustavus Adolphus College. Two fresh perspectives on what goes on here on a daily basis.

I'll need to get them setup with another blogger and twitter account. Still haven't quite decided how to transfer the current account (Corner Violin Shop) onto a new administrative account for either of the two new bloggers. I've looked for advice from other bloggers and they all seem to think WordPress might be a platform. Probably need to talk to our Argentinian friend Nestor.

Honda's Humanoid Robot ASIMO Conducts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

By now, you guys are already familiar with robots playing violins or trumpets so it should come as no surprise when they've stepped up to the podium.

Leonard Slatkin, director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, stepped aside on Tuesday night for a special guest conductor. Standing at 4-foot-3 and weighing 119 pounds, Honda's Humanoid robot Asimo made his conducting debut with the piece. Asimo conducted the Orchestra to"The Impossible Dream" of Broadway fame Man of La Mancha.

ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is a robot designed and built by Honda. The company filmed Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) education director Charles Burke conducting the piece and programmed Asimo to copy his movements.

I found it interesting how faultless ASIMO was in his conducting yet players were taken aback from his metronomic style. A trumpeter described how difficult was to play on cue with the lack of eyes on ASIMO. Conductor Slatkin even remarked how improvisation was the one thing that this robot lacked in its conducting style. Essentially, the robot was a very complex and expensive windup toy that could conduct the same piece over and over without error. It has yet to acquire the kind of independent thought and expression that makes humans so unique in its body language or facial expressions.

The Art & History of Violin Cases

In the wild west world of eBay, you meet some interesting bidders with all sorts of knowledge. One person we've met so far is collector Glen P. Wood. Now here at the shop, we do a fair share of appraisals on all string things related but Dr. Wood seems to have carved himself as an expert on the art of violin cases. With all those expensive advancements in case technology, who knew that such old world works of protection could be valued as works of art?

I googled the topic at hand and found a lively string of discussions on Maestronet's message board. The latest discussion focused on topics such as the Dr. Wood's book, how to repair old cases, and tracking down auctions such as the 12 Apostles cases.

Dr. Wood recently emailed us the announcement of his new book "The Art & History of Violin Cases". It's a 8.5" x 11" softcover book with 116 pages and 32 full color plate images. The book is divided into sections covering European Case making:(Italy, England, France, Germany, New World) and Modern case making.

"As the cost of collecting violins soars beyond the reach of many, antique violin cases has is becoming the new, hot collectable. To many, the notion of an old violin case is a battered, black coffin case of the type turned out in the millions by factories in France and Germany.

In my new book 'The Art & History of Violin Cases' I illustrate how wonderful and interesting these cases can be. Years of research in museums and private collections have yielded a treasure trove of inspirational examples which provide guidance to the collector."

-Dr. Glenn P. Wood

Now, I'm not in a scholarly position to do book reviews but do check it out and give some feedback. The informal reviews over at Maestronet seem to be fairly positive. Who knows? Maybe this could become the equivalent of a Henley's Guide. I'd also love to see if Dr. Wood could do another history book on other string instrument cases.

Shot of the Day: Stained Glass Violin with Lion's Head Scroll

Remember that lion's head scroll that was sold a week ago on eBay? The winning bidder emailed us some photos of his latest creation installed with his latest prize.

I thought about categorizing this post under Weird Stringed Instruments but decided against it since it's no longer playable. Also, I thought the bidder took some real time and effort into crafting this stained glass work of art.