KSO Revels in Historic Cello

(March 2008) David Peshlakai, Principal Cello of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, recently acquired the right to perform on a special cello from an anonymous donor in Kalamazoo.

The last time this cello was performed was with the KSO. Mr. Peshlakai was approached by the donor to look at the instrument and give his opinion about the instrument. Musicians are frequently approached with such requests. Sadly, such meetings usually result in informing the owner that the ‘Stradivarius’ they found in their attic is a cheap knock-off and that the repairs needed cost more than the value of the instrument. But musicians are always hopeful for that ‘one’ instrument. This story is about that one instrument.

Upon inspection of the instrument, David knew that it had not been performed upon for many years. Still, when he drew the bow across the string, a beautiful sound came out.

“Several colleagues were leaving a rehearsal we had just finished when I started to play. They turned around and asked, ‘What is that?’” David said with a smile. “They recognized, as did I, that this was something special.”

After an initial offer to buy the instrument was brushed aside (the owner wishes to keep the cello in the family), an arrangement was created whereby David could play the cello to help maintain its health.

“Musical instruments, especially string instruments, need to be played upon regularly to keep them in good condition, both structurally and musically,” explained the cellist.

“That’s what amazed me about this cello. Even though it had not been played upon for such a long time, it still had a great sound. I can only wonder what it will sound like after it has been ‘played in’. It can only get better,” he surmised.

If the story ended here, it would still be a happy ending. But when David learned of the legend behind the cello, he was even more intrigued. Inside the cello is a label stating that one of the previous owners was Victor Herbert. Victor Herbert, aside from composing many songs for Broadway, was also a cellist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra around 1900. In fact, Mr. Herbert performed his 2 nd cello concerto with the New York Philharmonic while Antonin Dvo řák was in town. Dvo řák was so impressed with what the cello was capable of that he wrote his famous cello concerto.