LRB LETTERS FUN        PART 2 

LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS READERS are literate (and good-humoured) people, as suggested yesterday in Part 1. Today we continue with tidbits gleaned from their letters to LRB editors. 

A Pacific Palisades Strad.  LRB reader John D. Patterson comments upon Thomas Laqueur telling the story of the 1711 ‘Mara’ Stradivarius cello immersed in the River Plate and its subsequent resurrection (LRB, 9 October): “Another near-death Strad tale concerns the violin known on account of its spectacular red varnish as the ‘Red Diamond’ (1732). In 1952, it was swept from the grasp of Sascha Jacobsen, leader of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, into the Pacific as he sought to save himself from a flash flood that engulfed his car on the coastal highway to Pacific Palisades.”

“The violin,” reader Patterson continues, “was discovered in its case on the beach the next day, sadly fragmented. It was restored over several months by the luthier Hans Weisshaar, and the revitalised violin subsequently enjoyed a distinguished career. Like the ‘Mara’, its rebirth after watery trauma was said to have enhanced its qualities.”

Another Strad tale, “The Napoleon Duport Caper,” appeared here at SimanaitisSays.

Jean-Louis Duport, 1749–1819, aka Duport the Younger to distinguish him from his older brother Jean-Pierre Duport, 1741–1818, both of them French cellists. That is, they were French; the cellos were Italian. Portrait by Remi-Fursy Descarin. 

Stacks of Wax. LRB reader Scott Herrick comments, “ ‘LRB 45s,’ as advertised in the 11 September issue, is a fine concept. I suppose I am not the only one reminded of ‘What’s My Melodic Line?’, a contest on Peter Schickele’s radio station WOOF at the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople; the grand prize was the complete works of Antonio Vivaldi recorded on ‘convenient 45 rpm records’, which would be sent to the winner one per week ‘over the next 35 years.’ ”

Peter Schickele, of course, is the world’s foremost authority on P.D.Q. Bach (1807–1742), “widely considered to be the most justifiably neglected composer in the history of music.” Or so it says at Professor Schickele’s website. Schickele recounts, “P.D.Q. Bach once said that his illustrious father gave him no training in music whatsoever. It is one of the few things he said that can be believed without reservation.” 

Different formats; still attracting attention. Image from “A Boomer’s Memories.”

By contrast, I can certainly believe the claim that Vivaldi’s complete works would require 1,820 45-rpm records. The fidelity enhanced, no doubt, by the 7-in. discs’ “sweet spot of the groove.”

And I thank LRB readers: Keep those letters coming in, please. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2025