Lotsa news this weekend about expensive violins. In Paris police say they have recovered two violins, together worth more than $250,000, stolen from a musician with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in December. More details here.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Symphony is going to be selling off their so-called "Golden Age" collection of rare stringed instruments purchased at the supposedly bargain-basement price of $17 million four years ago. The Symphony is strapped for cash and this sale could give them some security, but it's also just another page in a rather bizarre story involving philanthropy, tax fraud, questions of fakery and more.