Culver City Observer -

Cello Lands At Boulevard Music

They say sometimes even miracles take a little time.

When his most prized possession was stolen 16 years ago when his car was broken into in broad daylight while parked for five minutes in front of a West Hollywood temple to drop off music to the pianist, Vagehayraken Hayrikyan was devastated to find his 220-year-old cello missing from the back seat.

Hayrikyan said the right car window had been smashed and when he looked in the back seat, his cherished cello was gone. He said the feeling at that one moment is hard to describe.

“It was a feeling of emptiness, like my soul had been taken away,” Hayrikyan said. “It’s like when someone is having a heart attack. The feeling was unbelievable.”

But two weeks ago the search ended and it happened at Boulevard Music in Culver City.

The Russian-born cellist said he is unsure of the cello’s worth and exact European origin.

“It could be Italian, French or German made. It’s impossible to know,” Hayrikyan said.

Never giving up hope, the Sun Valley resident, pleading for the return of his revered cello said he contacted a musical instrument registry to help aid in finding the stolen cello, but with no luck locating the itinerant cello during the 16-year search.

Hayrikyan said he had occasional contact with the service over the 16 year period.

“I would check in with them to get an update on any news,” Hayrikyan said. “I hired a private investigator for the first six months and checked all the pawn shops in Hollywood.”

Known as Vahe to his friends, the passionate Hayrikyan said he learned to play the cello at age nine and continued studying for 19 years. He earned his Master’s Degree at the Yerevan Komitas Conservatory of Music in Armenia under the tutelage of esteemed Professor Talalian. He then went on to earn his Doctorate Degree at the Moscow Conservatory of Music.

Before leaving the Soviet Union, Hayrikyan won First Prize in the Third Transcaucasian Music Competition and the Third Prize at the Soviet National Cello Competition.

Since his arrival in America in 1990, Hayrikyan has performed with the Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank Symphonies, the Mozart Camerata, the South Bay Chamber Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He also served as principal cellist of the National Symphony Orchestra and National Chamber Orchestra.

Hayrikyan currently teaches cello both privately and at the Tchaikovsky School of Music in the city of Walnut.

The rare, hand-crafted cello, which was purchased in Armenia through a private transaction in 1986, had two identifying and vital markings recognizable to the rightful owner.

“There is no label or maker’s name, but only a unique “V” shape letter on the neck of the cello and the name ‘Tony Lane,’ a violin maker in Petaluma, who replaced the bridge,” Hayrikyan said.

But in a twist of fate, Hayrikyan’s exhaustive search for the prized cello finally ended when Gary Mandell, owner of Boulevard Music, who was unfamiliar with the cello’s storied journey, found the owner in a set of unique circumstances.

From his small office at Boulevard Music that is filled with shelves stacked with years of accumulated music paraphernalia, Mandell said he bought the cello from a painter about two years ago who was doing work at Boulevard Music.

“The painter acquired the cello as payment in lieu of cash for a paint job he had done years before,” Mandell said.

With thoughts of using the cello as a rental instrument, curious about its origin and value, Mandell set out on his own path of inquiry and took the cello to several appraisers beginning with an expert in Hollywood who deals in vintage cellos. Not satisfied with the results, Mandell went to English appraiser found in an ad, but subsequently couldn’t determine whether the cello was French or German made, but suggested to sell it at an auction house. Still unsure of its origin and value, Mandell then shipped the cello to Chicago to a leading expert of vintage cellos. Again, Mandell came up short in acquiringinformation about the cello.

During the appraisal phase, another story was taking place behind the scenes.

“I had several conversations over the course of time with my good friend Dave who expressed interest in buying the cello for his wife as a Valentine’s Day gift,” Mandell said.

But in an unusual twist of circumstances, Hayrikyan’s friend and fellow cellist, Kevan Torfeh, who teaches cello at Boulevard Music, recognized the familiar markings upon closer examination of the cello.

“Kevan recognized the bridge with Tony’s name on it and its unique type of rosin and automatically knew who the cello belonged to and that his friend Vahe’s cello was stolen about 15 years ago,” Mandell said.

Kevan quickly contacted his friend Vahe. Mandell said Hayrikyan showed up at the music store two hours later with photos of his prized cello and had no problem identifying the cello by the few familiar markings.

“He arrived at Boulevard Music in the middle of one of our concerts,” Mandell said. “I then had to call my friend Dave to let him know he will not be getting the cello.”

After the proper paper work had been filed with the police department, Hayrikyan arrived a few days later with his son to collect his most cherished possession.

After signing the legal documentation, the cello had finally found its way back to its grateful owner.

“I am elated to see a musician get his stolen instrument back after 16 years.” Mandell said. “I have never seen a happier man in my entire life.”

In celebration of the recovery, Vahe took the cello out of the case and played two pieces.

“I still can’t believe it. I am so happy to have it back. It’s not just good luck, but a true miracle,” Hayrikyan said.