US

Teen Musician Leaves Violin Worth $172,000 on Megabus

Teen Musician Leaves Violin Worth $172,000 on Megabus | Muchen Ksieh

WPVI-TV:

The question isn’t how do you spell relief, but rather what does relief sound like?

A rare violin worth $172,000 that was mistakenly left onboard a Boston-to-Philadelphia bus by a groggy music student from Taiwan has been found and returned to its grateful owner.

The young musician who lost her invaluable violin on a Megabus on Tuesday allowed her fingers to reflect her gratitude after her violin was returned.

 

KYW-TV:

Muchen Hsieh put on a short performance at the 18th District police station in West Philadelphia after being reunited with her prized possession.  She says a Taiwanese culture foundation lent her the violin for her studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston.  It was made in 1835 by Vincenzo Jorio in Naples.

 

 

 

Boston Globe:

“Italian violins are worth more than non-Italian violins,’’ said Christopher Reuning, president of Reuning & Son Violins in Boston’s South End.

The most valuable are those made by Antonio Stradivari and the Guarneri family, both from Cremona, Italy, which can sell for up to $16 million, he said.

Ellen Pfeifer, spokeswoman for the conservatory, said it is not unusual for students to have valuable instruments.

“Most of our string players, whether violinists, cellists, or violists, have pretty expensive, old, rare instruments,’’ Pfeifer said. “They frequently get them on loan from wealthy foundations.’’

She recalled an occasion when Yo-Yo Ma, a world-renowned musician, left his cello in a cab.

“He got it back,’’ Pfeifer said.

 

Comments (74)

1 2
  • TheThirdLittlePig.com
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:35pm

    how come they have the value of an invaluable item?….just sayin

    Report Post » TheThirdLittlePig.com  
  • rogerover12
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:17pm

    Now your going to have weirdos targeting Violin Students. Kids get your weapons
    permit!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:58am

    Stupidity does abound thats right…much of it right here and in your reply.

    Report Post »  
  • bill984
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:49am

    and who lets a teen travel with a 172k violin?

    Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

      A Taiwanese culture foundation and the Boston Conservatory (she must be extremely talented).

      Report Post »  
    • Gumbercules
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:27pm

      Great question! It just went to show how much that teen appreciated the irreplaceable gift that was lent to her.

      Groggy!? That was her excuse?! Give me a break! I still have on the plastic film covering my free cellphone so it won’t get scratched from 2 years ago! Once that teen becomes an adult & professional and responsible, then I might consider lending her a $150k violin.

      Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • Charles
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:27pm

      An adult violinist with as I recall the New York Philharmonic left his Stradivarius in its case on top of his car and drove off. It was recovered intact at some point. It can happen to adults also. Having an intense schedule to keep and many things to keep track of can lead to this. Its what insurance is for. Glad this talented young lady got her “axe” back!

      Report Post »  
  • qzak491
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:36am

    I think it is sad how we think about people. If all you can do is critize her what does that say about you. How many of you have ever locked your keys in the car and had to have someone help you.

    Why do you think she was on welfare because of what she did? People on welfair are not stupid just less fortunate than others, it‘s just by the grace of GOD we all aren’t. I’m not on welfair and I am stupid.

    Report Post »  
  • Artgirl
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:01am

    I’m sure she was very tired. The fact that she is at such a nice music school says that she is a dedicated musician. Why do these comments have to become so nasty and degrading? I’ve seen so much immature behavior in the comments on The Blaze. This is what America I becoming and it’s quite sad.

    Report Post »  
    • Avigdor
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:16am

      Americans, especially men (both right and left), have become very mean over the last 30 years. It is not just the economy but more just part of the aging process.

      As for violins, there is a luther in Indianapolis (Michael Florek) who seems to find instruments that others do not value. Goodwill sold him a violin, a 1880s German made violin, that someone dropped off after cleaning the attic. He paid $70 but the violin is worth $6000 and the bow $4000. His best instrument was a 1711 Carlo Giuseppe Testore violin that someone brought at auction for $1000. It had some cracks across the sound board and needed repair. The guy brought it to Michael but did not even want to put the money into (and Michael told him what it was worth). So Michael offered to pay double but the guy just left. Couple of weeks later the guy came back with a deal: Michael would repair two bows (worth $4500 and $5500) and pay $1500. The violin had be repaired in 1922 by a master luther from Chicago with a thin sheet of spruce. The instrument is worth $84000.

      People do not know the worth of instruments.

      Report Post »  
    • Mesaba67
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:51am

      “AVIGDOR:Americans, especially men (both right and left), have become very mean over the last 30 years. It is not just the economy but more just part of the aging process.” It is true that aging can make a person crabby, but your statement is not true. The left no matter the age has become more mean because of what they believe to be true is false. Older Men like my self are not mean we just do not subscribe to BS. Small children, old dogs and sunsets capture my heart but all the other garbage out there is suspect.

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 12:19pm

      There is nothing wrong with America except stinking thinking and both men and women jumped aboard the bus. You know the wheels on the bus go round and round. The people on the bus jumped up and down all through the town. Merry Christmas to the Blaze and you guys on the midnight train to Georgia. Great story. Merry Christmas art girl. Have other things to do today so ….Merry Christmas to all. Peace.

      Report Post »  
  • GBMBulletsSKNRD
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:48am

    What a great ending. It is a comfort to know that there are still good people left in this world.

    Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:53am

      Hmm..maybe they need to switch her to the tuba?……it’s much bigger and harder to misplace.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Jacque
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:56am

      The majority of people in the world are good…only lib TV and newspapers brainwash us to believe otherwise.

      Report Post »  
  • snufy
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:36am

    She most asuredly is a talented musician, but to load something worth that much to a child? Just plain stupid. It must have been insured pretty heavily. If it was worth that much, They should have had a security guard with it. I do understand that not all valuables are lost by young people, as stupidity abounds in society.

    Report Post » snufy  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:33am

    Its nice to know irresponsible teenagers aren’t just an American invention.

    Report Post » Southernsoul  
    • qzak491
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:00am

      It is also nice to know that there are people nice enough to look after them.

      Report Post »  
  • Nukeman60
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:24am

    Ellen Pfeifer, spokeswoman for the conservatory, said it is not unusual for students to have valuable instruments.

    “Most of our string players, whether violinists, cellists, or violists, have pretty expensive, old, rare instruments,’’ Pfeifer said. “They frequently get them on loan from wealthy foundations.’’

    Great. Broadcast that many of your students have valuable instruments in their possession. Want to bet someone will stalk these people from here on out to grab what they hope will be a great steal?

    Report Post »  
  • Sheepdog911
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:24am

    I knew I should have placed a higher bid when I saw it on e-bay.

    Report Post » Sheepdog911  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:48am

    My buddy Lt. Johnny Walker to the rescue

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • rmcenery
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:36am

    Glad it was a happy ending here, you know she’ll never let that happen again!

    Report Post »  
  • 1776freedomofspeech
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:26am

    Very lucky kid!

    Report Post » 1776freedomofspeech  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:09am

    Don’t worry – doesn’t work valry well with hip hop . It will probably wind up in a garage sale.

    Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:14am

      She is so far above hip hop it is probably not in her lexicon.

      Report Post »  
  • felix
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:05am

    must have been thinking about gettin laid !

     
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:20am

      Only jealousy or base (stinking thinking) trash would leave a reply like this.

       
    • stormcrow53
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:34am

      Felix; you have shamed yourself before all. You have no honor. You must be extraordinarily lonely.
      I pity you. Now go wash your mouth out and apologize to everyone.

      stormcrow53  
  • Realman30
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:04am

    There’s something I could never figure out when I hear about these type situations.

    This is 2012. One has a valuable piece of merchandise. Why not spend $50 and attach a monitor to it. An alarm sounds eveytime it’s a mile away. And/or if lost, one can easily track it down.

    Perhaps that too much like right.

    Report Post » Realman30  
  • quiltgal
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:00am

    If I was traveling with that violin, it’s safety would be the first thing on my mind the whole trip and it would be the first thing I grabbed before leaving the bus. Groggy or not, how could anyone be so careless? As someone else posted here, it would be like forgetting your child. The Taiwanese culture foundation ought to take it back and never lend her another valuable instrument again.

    Report Post »  
    • FORLORNHOPE
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:16am

      Something smells fishie on the blaze today please close your legs madam.

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:28am

      Fortunately God gave a marvelous gift to that child and not to those who If If If If. The all wise whose only gift is mean. She will probably purchase her own someday. Good for this “teenager”.

      Report Post »  
    • stormcrow53
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:41am

      Forlorn: (and you are) You have shamed yourself before all. You have no honor. You must be very lonely. I pity you. Wash your mouth out and aplogize to everyone.
      Texasgranny73: Once again Texas has reason to be proud. Stand tall, ma’m, and lead the way.

      Report Post » stormcrow53  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:33am

    Couldn’t you maybe carry around a $5K violin and just save the $175 K model for concerts and such?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Gravejoke
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:22am

    To a musician leaving your instrument is like leaving your child. Hopefully she’s learned to keep one limb upon her violin at all times.

    Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:30am

      $172,000?

      Wow…my MPC5000 only costed $2500…

      Let’s see who makes more money…

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • MiloArk
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:18am

    Having had a violin stolen from me in 1979 and then having it returned in 2009, all I can say is thank God the poor girl didn’t have to wait so long.

    Report Post » MiloArk  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:15am

      Well, it wasn’t stolen, she forgot it like yesterdays garbage big difference.. In my opinion she doesn’t deserve it and is just too plain immature to have it… I’m glad you got yours back..

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
  • lukerw
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:04am

    Air Head!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:08am

      Wanted to say that too, but then I remembered that I left my pricey flute on a bus stop bench when a teenager. I was carrying too many things. I realized that it’s missing about a couple of minutes into the ride, so asked my brother to take car of my things and got off on the next stop and ran as hell toward the previous stop. It was gone. I worked two summers to pay for it.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:47am

      An “airhead” filled with beautiful music and obviously so talented she studies at a conservatory and is so honored she is loaned a valuable violen. Wow. Many many hours of dedication and work produce those who rise to the top and we who are given the gift of hearing let us hear. Merry Christmas to this young lady and to all of those who honor Him this day and every day.

      Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:57am

    ANYBODY who can’t keep track of a 170 thousand dollar ANYTHING is not a responsible adult.
    But it was lent to her and someone else made a similar mistake.
    Then that’s that. She’s a victim.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • sta
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:02am

      Not everyone is as perfect as you are.
      What a wonderful sign of the times that it was returned.

      God Bless the person who turned it in.

      Report Post »  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:16am

      @sta.. Think it was a black or white person that returned it ?

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:39am

      I won’t apologize for being responsible.
      Neither can I congratulate myself for your vision of my perfection.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:49am

      @STA Thank God for talent. Responsibility is using that talent. Using that talent is hard work. A teenager working hard is a teenager who will succeed. Perfection is the icing on the hard work cupcake (not to mention the rewards and awards). Merry Christmas

      Report Post »  
  • notreally
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:50am

    Wanna bet she didn’t have to work for that violin? That it was given to her?

    Isn’t that why poor people, who are given free housing, food, TV, phones — everything — are so sloppy? So irresponsible? Or, for that matter, isn’t that why whole nations, like Greece and Spain and Ireland become so sloppy that they go bankrupt?

    Socialism: the most destructive economic system ever devised. It cultivates the worse instincts in mankind: sloth and envy.

    Report Post »  
    • Jomil48
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:59am

      You are sooo right, I felt sorry for a family who was on welfare because they had three little children, one of which had medical problems, so I gave them a 2007 fusion. It was old, but dependable transportation. Within two monthes they sold it and are back to begging people for a ride, I no longer feel sorry for them.

      Report Post »  
    • Doctor Nordo
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:31am

      Oh, for God’s sake, it said right in the article that the instrument was on loan to her. Can’t you retards ever read anything without foaming at the mouth and screaming Communism?

      Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • Police
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:40am

      Or, perhaps she had a really long ride on a bus and had a costly, though not inexcusable, forgetful moment. It happens to everyone. She’s obviously a hardworking, gifted individual. Your point about welfare recipients is spot on, but comparing this girl to the leaches of society is the kind of thing that turns people off to conservatives. A little brash for an incredible violinist. Your post belongs on that story of that black black woman with 30 kids saying that “someone needs to be held responsible…”

      Report Post »  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:19am

      @Jomil48… 2007 old ? That’s brand spanking new to me.. I’m still in my 96 Jeep Cherokee, by choice.. I love that truck soooo much..

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
    • MiloArk
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:10am

      @Not Really—You flaming idiot. Violin foundations don‘t just ’hand out’ $172,000 violins. Your ignorant answer tells me you have no idea what kind of auditions competitions and paperwork she went through just to be considered for an instrument like this. This is NOT an irresponsible human, but she is human and even the sharpest of us can have a ‘moment.’

      So, please, next time you have a thought like that, do us a favor and put it back where you found it—right up your ass.

      Report Post » MiloArk  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:13am

      What a beautiful story for Christmas and the giver of all gifts. She and her violin and me and my drum. Listen…..Hear it. Shhh…listen. I know you hear it. Wise men heard it. And shepherds. The little baby heard it. Shhhh softly.

      Report Post »  
    • Link8on
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:19am

      http://www.lyricstime.com/natalie-macmaster-the-touch-of-the-master-s-hand-original-poem-lyrics.html

      Natalie Macmaster Lyrics
      “Natalie Macmaster The Touch Of The Master’s Hand (original Poem) lyrics”

      Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
      Thought it scarcely worth his while
      to waste much time on the old violin,
      but held it up with a smile
      “What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
      “Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
      “A dollar, a dollar”; then two!“ ”Only two?
      Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
      Three dollars, once; threedollars twice; going for three..”
      But no, from the room, far back,
      a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;
      Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
      and tightening the loose strings,
      he played a melody pure and sweet
      as caroling angel sings.

      The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
      with a voice that was quiet and low,
      said; “What am I bid for the old violin?”
      And he held it up with the bow.
      A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
      Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
      Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
      and going and gone,” said he
      The people cheered, but some of them cried,
      “We do not quite understand what changed its worth.”
      Swift came the reply:
      “The touch of a master’s hand.”

      Report Post » Link8on  
    • Link8on
      Posted on December 25, 2011 at 7:20am

      And many a man with life out of tune,
      and battered and scarred with sin,
      Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
      much like the old violin,
      A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
      a game – and he travels on.
      “He is going” once, and “going twice,
      He’s going and almost gone.”
      But the Master comes,
      and the foolish crowd
      never can quite understand the worth of a soul
      and the change that’s wrought
      by the touch of the Master’s hand.

      Natalie Macmaster Lyrics
      “Natalie Macmaster The Touch Of The Master’s Hand (original Poem) lyrics”

      http://www.lyricstime.com/natalie-macmaster-the-touch-of-the-master-s-hand-original-poem-lyrics.html

      Report Post » Link8on  
  • Jomil48
    Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:32am

    If it’s going to Phily, forget it. It’s toast.

    Report Post »  
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