Tarisio Auction Features Amati Violin by Nicolò and Owned by Hollywood Music Mogul George E. Stoll

We're delighted to present one of the star lots in our October New York auction, a fine Amati violin formerly owned by the Oscar-winning Hollywood music mogul George E. Stoll (1905 - 1985). Stoll, who began his career as a jazz violinist, became one of the most important conductors and composers in Hollywood while working as a music director for MGM Studios. He is perhaps best known for writing and conducting the orchestral score to the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz", which won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. He was nominated for nine Oscars, winning the Best Score Oscar for "Anchors Aweigh". Other film credits to his name include "Meet Me In St Louis" and "Viva Las Vegas" and he worked with many leading musicians, from Louis Armstrong to the young André Previn. Stoll's violin is an excellent example of the work of Nicolò Amati (1596 - 1684), who was the most important maker of his family. It is a full-size model made at the height of his career, its corners notably long and elegant. The back is a particularly attractive and unusual quarter-cut maple, with the flames ascending in one direction. It is in excellent condition and is one of the few 17th-century instruments to retain its original neck, reangled at the heel. The violin is sold with a photocopy certificate from W. E. Hill & Sons, London. The violin is available to view in our New York office before the sale, and also in Cremona, London and Boston. To make an appointment, email eladd@tarisio.com or call +1 212 307 7224. There are many other items also up for auction. The London auction catalog is found here, http://tarisio.com/catalogs/tarisio_october_2009_london.pdf, while the New York auction catalog is found here, http://tarisio.com/catalogs/tarisio_october_2009_new_york.pdf. Auction information:

London, October 13

Leroy House, 1Q

436 Essex Road

+44 (0)20 7354 5763

(Viewings by appointment Monday???Friday 10am-5pm) New York, October 14 & 15

Tarisio Auctions

244???250 West 54th St.

+1 212 307 7224

(Viewings by appointment Monday???Friday 10am-6pm) For details of public viewings in Cremona, London, New York, and Boston, see: http://tarisio.com/pages/events.php?et=1