Not to worry, symphony didn't get phonies

By PEGGY McGLONE
STAR-LEDGER STAFF

THE STRINGS
Amid the latest revelations about philanthropist and music lover Herbert Axelrod's business dealings arises this nagging question: Are the much-heralded Golden Age instruments he sold to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra the real thing?

No question about it, said symphony officials and supporters. "We did our due diligence," said attorney Scott Kobler, a partner at McCarter & English, the Newark law firm that represented the orchestra in the deal, which was completed in February 2003.

"We had them examined by sets of experts, who physically examined them. We have in our possession all of Dr. Axelrod's provenance papers. We were satisfied that their provenance was verified."

After a year of negotiations, the NJSO spent $18 million to purchase 30 Italian strings - including a dozen Stradivarius violins, a Stradivarius cello, three Guarneri del Ges violins and a 1620 Amati viola. Axelrod later forgave $1 million of the $4 million note he held in that transaction, bringing the final price to $17 million. The NJSO borrowed $14 million to complete the deal.

Axelrod valued the collection at $50 million.

Kobler said the orchestra hired independent experts to inspect the instruments and verify their origin, and were satisfied with their authenticity.

"And if you were to ask the musicians about the instruments . . . you would hear earfuls from them about how extraordinary they are," he said.

Axelrod also donated a quartet of Strads to the National Museum of American History, a part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

"I can't comment on the situation he's in," said Valeska Hilbig, a spokeswoman for the museum. "But we are not questioning the authenticity of the instruments. We've had that verified."

Other supporters of the symphony said they stand behind the decision to purchase the instruments.

"We're a supporter of the symphony and we continue to believe the violin purchase was good not only for the New Jersey Symphony but for the people of New Jersey," said Gabriella Morris, president of the Prudential Foundation, a major donor. "As far as we know, this has nothing to do with the violins at all."