Crime 08/03/20 RIA Novosti, Mikhail Ozersky “theft of the century” in the USSR: how the Soviet musician stole a Stradivarius
Certainly, many remember and love the movie of Eldora urazbaeva “visit to the Minotaur” on the theft of legendary violins of Antonio Stradivari. In the film based on the eponymous novel by Vainer brothers. However, the present abduction of the instrument occurred after the release of pictures in cinemas.
“How to steal a million”
it All began in 1968 with the robbery of the apartment of the famous musician David Oistrakh. About this crime, and then wrote exclusively foreign publications. The fact that the value of the stolen was almost fabulous, and the possession of such wealth is not consistent with Soviet ideology. First, the thieves took with them a huge amount of money in the currency, and secondly, a lot of jewelry, and thirdly, an expensive musical instrument. But the amazing thing is that criminals are absolutely not interested in three Stradivarius violin that had been stored in the same Moscow apartment Oistrakh.
Soon the attackers were detained, and the property was returned to its rightful owner. It is noteworthy that, according to themselves of thieves, the crime inspired the film, namely the then-popular American Comedy “How to steal a million” (1966). As for the violins, narrow-minded thieves simply had no idea what kind of tools before them. Meanwhile, real million, of which they dreamed, was under their noses.
this is the case with Oistrakh and the impetus for writing by brothers Vainer novel “Visit to Minotaur”. But unlike real history book, the attackers grabbed the victim Lev Polyakov and violin “Santa Maria” the work of the famous Italian master of stringed instruments by Antonio Stradivari.
“visit to a Minotaur”
5 episodes to the motion picture “visit to the Minotaur” was in the SSCP resounding success. And it was not only in the star line-up (starring Sergey Shakurov, Vladimir Samoilov, Alexander Filippenko, Valentin Gaft, Mikhail Pugovkin and other famous actors), but also in a fascinating story. However, the mini-series made an impression not only on law-abiding citizens. They inspired and those who were ready, like the characters in the movie, to break the law.
In 1996 the Museum Association of musical culture named after M. I. Glinka had disappeared a few tools. This time the investigation lasted almost three years. During this time, the criminals only once made themselves felt. Once in the Museum, the phone rang. The voice on the other end was offered a violin in exchange for a ransom of one million dollars. Only now agreed on the phone with the blackmailer and did not come.
Later two thieves who stole rarity, was arrested in Sochi. And a Stradivarius violin found in a ruined house near Abkhazia. Accomplices and failed to sell a priceless thing, that is why they called the Museum. However, to meet was afraid.
Saved by the violin required the restoration. When she fell into the hands of specialists, it was discovered that it was one of those tools that in 1968 disdained the bandits who robbed Oistrakh (he gave this violin to a Museum).
Yulia Popova
Source:
© Russian Seven
Featured articles Share: Comments Comments to the article “the”theft of the century” in the USSR: how the Soviet musician stole a Stradivarius” Please log in to leave a comment! br>
Share on Tumblr
