A Strad Out of the Blue

The book that tells the story of the Gibson strad

By Frédéric Chaudière

Among the legendary creations of Antonio Stradivari, one instrument holds a story so captivating that it reads like a Hollywood thriller.

In his novel, A Strad out of the Blue, Frédéric Chaudiere, violin maker and expert, chronicles the incredible journey of the famous Gibson Stradivarius, which now belongs to Joshua Bell.

A story crafted by a violin maker

Stolen by a bored jazz violinist, the priceless masterpiece vanished from the cultural radar for decades. The thief didn’t keep it safely tucked away in a velvet case; he routinely used the stradivarius in bars and venues, eventually even using it as an ash tray.

Based on his luthier insights, Frederic takes the reader on a journey originating in 17th century Cremona. From there, he maps out a centuries-long trajectory, the story traverses through the worlds of aristocrats, dealers, thieves, scoundrels and concert performers.

This well-researched whodunit and psychological thriller will capture readers well beyond the bounds of the music-loving public.

Upcoming event

You like the story and want to learn more? Frédéric will give a lecture about the theft of the Gibson Stradivari at the VSA convention in Cleveland on Friday November 20th, 9:00AM.
Unseen photos and documents will help bridging the gap between the thieves’ version, court rulings and reality. 

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