Pietro Gvarnery
ItalyItalian violin master Pietro Guarneri
Pietro Guarneri was an Italian violin master who lived from an unknown date to October 2, 2001. He was known for creating unique and valuable instruments, including a cello worth $250,000. Unfortunately, this precious instrument was destroyed by a drunk neighbor of musician Oleg Vedernikov.
The tragic incident
The incident occurred when the State Collection of Musical Instruments loaned the valuable cello to Oleg Vedernikov for concerts and rehearsals. The instrument, crafted by Pietro Guarneri 250 years ago, was stored in a regular communal apartment in Moscow. Oleg Vedernikov, who had acquired the small room on Volkova Street in 1999, resided there with his wife and the cello.
Initially, Vedernikov's neighbors had no complaints about his morning musical exercises, as he was a quiet tenant who often went on tour. However, everything changed a year ago when a new tenant, Veniamin Gordienko, a military officer, moved in. Oleg and Veniamin were good friends, and Veniamin had completed military school, with the prospect of being sent to Tajikistan or the Far East. Not wanting to leave the capital, Veniamin decided to marry Oleg's ex-wife, Ekaterina, and register himself as a resident of the apartment.
The worsening situation
With each passing day, Veniamin began to assert his dominance over the room, especially when he returned home drunk. One Sunday, Oleg Vedernikov returned home late, only to find that the door to his room was locked from the inside. Veniamin, in a drunken state, informed Oleg where he should go and physically attacked him when Oleg attempted to call the police.
The fight between them attracted the attention of the other tenants in the communal apartment. They moved from the corridor into the room to intervene. Veniamin continued to assault Oleg, even using the wooden sofa as an instrument of attack. Oleg desperately tried to protect his head with his hands, screaming, "Don't touch the instrument!" However, Veniamin intentionally kicked the cello case multiple times, causing significant cracks along its length.
The aftermath
According to Oleg Vedernikov, the instrument is now beyond repair. While the significant cracks could be restored, it would undoubtedly affect the sound of the cello. Instead of the collector's item, all that remains in the case on the floor of the communal apartment is a mere "piece of wood." The investigation is currently trying to determine how the cello was "destroyed." Veniamin Gordienko claims that it simply fell out of the cabinet. The results of the police investigation will determine the outcome of the insurance payment, which amounts to $250,000 for Guarneri's cello.
