They struck up the band when Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski overran his thank-you time. But Pawel just carried on going through his list of the dear departed, and the band piped down. In the most micro-managed event on earth, humanity won. For once.

The Georg Solti conducting competition in Frankfurt, dogged in recent years by fixing allegations, failed to produce a winner.

Out of 20 finalists, Tung-Chieh Chuang (32, Taiwan) shared second prize of 10,000 Euros with Elias Grandy (34, Germany). Toby Thatcher (26, Australia) came third with 5.000 €.

This is the seventh Solti competition. Among past winners, only James Gaffigan as gone on to head a prominent orchestra.

The FAZ reports the death of the Camerata Nucleare, orchestra of the German atomic energy industry. The sector is in decline and the orchestra of employees, which toured extensively and released four CDS, has been pensioned off. At the press of a button.

photo: Marcus Lechner

Time ran out this weekend for Frank-Peter Zimmermann. The German virtuoso has surrendered his Lady Inchiquin Stradivarius to a financial body, Portigon, that is obliged to sell it for the highest price.

The violinist has played the instrument on loan for 12 years and has been trying to buy it at a price suggested by two independent valuers, in the region of three million Euros. Portigon is seeking an extra million on top. At this stage, it seems unlikely Frank-Peter, 49, will ever see his Lady again. He is playing the New York Philharmonic this week, on a less familiar instrument.

In an unrelated scenario, Alexander Pavlovsky, a member of the Jerusalem Quartet is desperately seeking a new instrument after his on-loan Pressenda violin was sold by the owners. The quartet posted the following appeal last night.

Dear friends ,
Your help and advise is needed!
Our first violinist Alexander Pavlovsky is desperately looking for a new instrument !
His Pressenda violin, which he has been playing for last 10 years, is being sold now by the Syndicate which owns it.
If any of you knows any foundation, private collector or a sponsor that would be interested to help, please let us know.
Very much appreciate your help.
Yours
Jerusalem 4tet