Polish prosecutor investigates case of missing bassoons

Polish prosecutor investigates case of missing bassoons

News

norman lebrecht

January 16, 2024

At the Frederic Chopin Music School in Opole, Poland, two pre-war Heckel bassoons went missing during the summer holidays.

One of them has now turned up for sale online in Germany at around €40,000. It is reported that the school principal’s son received a Culture Ministry grant to restore it.

The plot thickens here (in Polish).

Comments

  • John Borstlap says:

    It is well-known that bassoons often escape during summer time to finally have some fun of themselves.

  • Alank says:

    Will be hard to sell. Like a well known stolen art work, a stolen Heckel would be pretty easily recognized by any reputable restorer. But then again, a 17 year wait for a new Heckel might make one a bit impatient!

  • Snowed In says:

    Gone, but not fagotten!

  • Margaret Koscielny says:

    Translation, please.

  • Bassoon Enthusiast says:

    This is a terrific story! It should be a film or a book. If you dealved into the history of those 2 pre-war Heckels, this could be the woodwind equivalent of the Red Violin. The discovery of the 1st Heckel online brings the story into the internet age. Brilliant plot here.

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