A while ago, I blogged about two pieces of memorabilia I own; a Hank Aaron autographed baseball, and a baton that was used by Arturo Toscanini. 
The baseball was bought in a card shop while I was on a concert tour of the South – no big mystery there. The baton, however, was left to me by my musical mentor, Engelbert Brenner. Brenner played 2nd oboe in the NYPO during Toscanini’s reign. This rare piece of classical music history has a hand written date on the shaft: November 24th, 1932.
Recently, the New York Philharmonic has made an extensive, searchable database available to the public on their web site. I have long wondered what pieces Maestro Toscanini conducted with MY baton. I now know!
Bruckner Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major
Intermission
Viotti Concerto No. 22 in A minor for Violin and Orchestra
Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
Bruckner 4 under Toscanini…. WOW!
I love the Hank aaron autographed baseball bat but the Toscanini baton takes the cake definitely. What a treasure to be able to own.
Wow, that’s an amazing piece of musical history! And to think you have a piece of it, know how it was used. Ahh, bliss!