Lucas: Frank Almond to play the famous 'Lipinski' Stradivarius at Beaufort benefit

Frank Almond says a lot has changed in his life since he was tased and left writhing in a frozen Milwaukee parking lot almost two years ago.

In January of 2014, the world-renowned recording artist and concertmaster for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra was attacked by a man seemingly intent on stealing the violin Almond was carrying -- a 1715 Stradivarius known as the "Lipkinski" valued somewhere between $5 and $6 million.

The robbery and fantastical aspects of the case captivated the nation and made international news in the days that followed, propelling the warm and affable musician into a world of crime and intrigue he never knew existed.

"I don't think you can ever prepare yourself for what happened," he said by phone recently.

That story, which has become entwined with the lore behind the famous violin, is just one of the anecdotes Almond will share at an event in Beaufort next month.

"Notes: An Evening of Musical Storytelling and Casual Conversation" -- a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Beaufort County -- will feature Almond and the Stradivarius as well as music educator, composer and pianist Michael Braz, who will accompany Almond.

Almond had just come off a busy concert schedule and was taking a "slight holiday break" when he agreed to talk about both the attack and the Lipinski, though, understandably he could not divulge too many details surrounding the movements of the nearly 300-year-old violin.

For example, Almond does not have to buy a separate ticket for the violin or place it in its own seat when he flies since it is not, obviously, as big as a cello, but he does, sometimes, bring it with him on the plane.

He also said the Lipinksi, which he doesn't always play or travel with, is now moved around and sometimes kept "in an undisclosed location."

"Generally the idea is to not be conspicuous," he said.

While Almond, a Julliard graduate who holds the Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, is accomplished in every sense of the word himself, the Lipinski's fame often overshadows that of his own -- a feeling he describes as odd.

"It's gotten to the point where I know they are coming to these concerts because they are coming to see 'that violin,'" he said.

Still, Almond doesn't mind speaking about the legendary instrument or its history and connection to Milwaukee and the family who owns the instrument.

In fact, he sees the violin's fame not only as a source of civic and communal pride, but as a conversation starter for those who may not listen to a great deal of classical music.

"If it gets them in the hall ... that's fine with me," he said, "because, I'd say, 90 percent of the time they (come away) with something else."

Before the heist, in fact, Almond had made a CD called "A Violin's Life" of pieces relating to previous owners. A second CD is in the works.

And while Almond's nightmare run-in with a would-be art thief has inadvertently added a new chapter to the violin's already long and storied life, it's a chapter he doesn't shrink from.

"There were a lot of silver linings with that whole thing in the end," he said referring to the many subsequent connections he made to law enforcement and those interested in classical music.

The Lipinski, which was recovered by authorities nine days after the heist, was found stashed in an attic and returned to Almond who continues to share its magic with classical music fans everywhere.

"You could say it could have been worse," he added. "But because of amazing law enforcement work and (the fact that the robbery) was essentially not very well thought out, it really had a happy ending on just about every level."

If You Go

"Notes: An Evening of Musical Storytelling and Casual Conversation" -- a benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Beaufort County -- is at 6 p.m. Jan. 9, at Tabby Place, 913 Port Republic St., Beaufort.

The event will feature classical musician Frank Almond and the Lipinski 1715 Stradivarius violin.

Almond will be accompanied by pianist Michael Braz.

Individual tickets are $200 and seating is limited.

For sponsorship, group or other ticket information, call the Boys & Girls Club at 843-379-5430 or visit www.bgclowcountry.org/beaufort-events.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

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• Lucas: Bringing back the music: 5 questions with Josh Cooke and Jordan Ross, Dec. 17, 2015
• Lucas: 5 things to do with the family this holiday season, Dec. 23, 2015

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Lucas: Frank Almond to play the famous 'Lipinski' Stradivarius at Beaufort benefit."