EarlyMusicNews.Org

“I am a musician, sharing my time between playing the baroque violin and the lute and making bows for baroque instruments. The bows I make are either based on existing historical models, or are reconstructions based on the combination of ongoing research into the aesthetic and acoustic principles of the 17th and 18th centuries, through the study of historical instruments and iconography, combined with the practical concert experience of my colleagues and my own.

My workshop is set in the beautiful hills of the Galilee in the north of Israel. I travel often to Europe for exhibitions and concerts.“

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Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 97

“Jacek Wesolowski started playing violin at the age of 5 with classical studies at music school, later turning towards other genres such as folk and early music. From early on he was aware of the importance of a good instrument, not only in the quality of sound but the ergonomy and aesthetics of the form.

After completing his Masters degree in violin making at Poznan Academy of Music he went to England to specialise in early stringed instrument making at West Dean College under the famous early music specialist Roger Rose. He completed the three year programme with distinction. During this period he made instruments for various important musicians in both the modern and early music worlds (Alison Crum, Levon Chilingirian among others).

Jacek then moved to London where he was employed by the renowned dealers and restorers of fine stringed instruments, J & A Beare Ltd. He worked as a restorer and during his 5 years there he handled some of the best instruments in the world.

Now back in his hometown of Gdansk, Jacek Wesolowski has opened his own stringed instrument making and restoration studio. He also enjoys sharing some of his experience through giving lectures and continues his passion for research on specialist subjects related to stringed instruments.“

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Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 155

“Matthew Farley is a luthier working in Cracow (Kraków), Poland. For four years he studied under master luthier Marco Salerno in his workshop in Zagarolo, Italy, assisting in the construction of over 100 instruments. Currently Matthew primarily makes bowed instruments for playing Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. All of his instruments are carefully researched and designed in an attempt to approach the historical sound and appearance, while simultaneously taking into account the demands of modern musicians and modern concert venues.

Matthew builds each instrument of native European woods that are true to the materials largely available to and used by luthiers of the past. Starting from large billets of maple and spruce, he does all of the preliminary carpentry necessary to prepare instrument parts himself–thus allowing him to offer his instruments at a price reasonable for early music enthusiasts, as well as serious (but frugal) professionals. No part of his instruments is outsourced (save for the strings!), giving him the freedom to follow his own craftsman’s vision from the earliest stages to the final product.”

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Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 156

" ... I left my university studies to enrol in the Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria (IPIALL, the International School of Violinmaking) in Cremona and in the Professional Training Courses (CPF) of the Lombardy Region; the latter courses were directed by the master bowmaker Giovanni Lucchi in Cremona. After receiving my diploma as a BOWMAKER in 1982, I stayed on for an additional year of post-graduate training under Maestro Lucchi. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2008 | Hits: 207

“Since 1993 we  have been running the workshop ' Le Pin Lyre ', where I [Thomas Murach , Facteur de clavecins] make  harpsichords and Isabelle  restores violins, lutes and violes. In fact, we work together on lots of tasks, but that's the  basic setup. …

The following pages have some photos and links giving details on our work so far and are here for no other purpose than to encourage you, the musician and harpsichord player, to contact [us] …”

Tags: Thomas Murach, Facteur de clavecins

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Added on: Feb 26, 2012 | Hits: 213

“My workshop is in north Wiltshire, England. In the 38th year of my career, I find my time roughly divided into three equal segments.

MAKING: I specialise in late Renaissance lutes, but I also make guitars and other instruments. All my instruments are custom made and I am particularly pleased with collaborations with players who have special requirements, such as tone, decoration, playing technique or RSI.

RESTORATIONS: I have done restorations on many old guitars, particularly those by Louis Panormo and have restored several 18th century English guitars (a type of cittern).

REPAIRS: I do repairs for local musicians. Many classical, steel string and electric guitars pass through the workshop.“

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Added on: Jul 16, 2011 | Hits: 246

“Floris-Jan van der Voort first started making classical violins and cello's.

In search for a more artistic approach, he went to West Dean College, where he studied the making of early bowed instruments. Since 1995, on leaving college, he specializes in instruments of the viol and baroque violin families.

His instruments are made to the highest standards, based on surviving originals and iconography.

They are valued by both professional and amateurs in many countries, including The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain and America.”

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Added on: Nov 13, 2011 | Hits: 248

“ … I am particularly interested in the guitar of the early 19th century. The instruments described as "Romantic guitars" or "Biedermeier Gitarren" are of smaller shape. They comply with the acoustic aesthetics and musical demands of this period. …

Apart from conventional standard and reconditioning repairs I also carry out extensive restoration in my workshop. In most cases the aim of restauration is a playable instrument for musicians. Depending on condition and rarity of the instrument a pure conservative work may be more important. This decision must be made with the owner before restoration. I see conservative work as making each step of the restoration reversible.  …”

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Added on: Jul 16, 2011 | Hits: 288

Lute, theorbo and guitar maker.

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Added on: Feb 03, 2012 | Hits: 292

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Added on: Jul 29, 2009 | Hits: 306

“La mi Cinta Dorada appears as solution to the principal problem of early string instruments performers: to hold the instruments correctly. Our STRAPS are disigned in order to luthiers’ and performers’ needs, and have been tested by them before we sell them.
We work with first quality materials proceeding a rigorous process of confection of each product. Each STRAP is handmade and revised meticulously to guarantee a perfect finished and resistence.

Our principal care: ERGONOMICS and QUALITY of our products.“

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Added on: Sep 30, 2011 | Hits: 329

“After many years spent first building a hurdy-gurdy from a kit and then building several more hurdy-gurdies from scratch, we collected a catalog of parts, both metal and wood, crafted here in our own shop.

Visiting with hurdy-gurdy players at festivals and on line we discovered that hurdy-gurdy players are an independent and talented lot. Most are tweakers and many have attempted to build their own instrument with varying degrees of success. All have faced the problem of finding or building some of the more difficult parts.

Here at Hurdy-Gurdy Crafters, we would like to offer as much help as you need in the form of parts, plans, and kits based on the lessons we have learned. We also build finished hurdy-gurdies which are ready to play (except for a little tuning). At present we offer Symphonies and guitar bodied hurdy-gurdies.“ 

Added on: Sep 20, 2009 | Hits: 352

Construction and restoration of bowed instruments and bows. 

We ship to anywhere in Brazil by mail or carrier.

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Added on: Nov 28, 2011 | Hits: 359

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Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 362

"Sebastián learned the profession of harpsichord maker with Willem Kroesbergen next to whom he worked during 6 years.

At the same time he dedicated to the investigation and construction of plucked musical instruments (Lutes, vihuelas, early guitars, etc.) Also he specialized in the restoration of antiques and special of romantic guitars.

With a group of musicians and musicologists he founded the Dutch Lute Society with the purpose of promote this instrument and its music. During four years he was a member of the directorate of this society.

He has given several conferences and seminars for different organizations like: Vereniging Huismuziek, Festival Oudemuziek Utrecht, Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag, Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam, Nederlandse Luitvereniging, Belgische Luitvereniging, Archaeology Symposium Almere, Guitar and Cittern Symposium Michaelstein 2001, Musical Archaeology Symposium Michaelstein 2002, Instituto Cervantes Utrecht etc. He was asked by the NISA institute (Nederlands Instituut voor Scheeps- en onderwaterArcheologie) to investigate and reconstruct a Dutch cister from the beginning of the XVII century found in The Netherlands.

Verónica was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1969 and lives in The Netherlands since 1995. She is a graduated specialist in pup theatre and she followed also three years of art academy in Rosario. In The Netherlands she specialized with Sebastián on the decorations of harpsichords and in making roses for lutes, guitars etc.

She also works for other makers such as Nico van der Waals.

At the moment is she studying History of Art at the Utrecht University. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 367

"Kees van Hemert received initial training at the workshop of Matthijs de Jong and worked in the position of bowmaker for the internationally recognised firm of Bouman’s, before opening his own successful establishment in Den Haag renowned for its Royal Conservatorium with its world famous department of early music.

Following a career as an artist, holding major exhibitions and lecturing in The Netherlands, and for a time in Australia, Kees van Hemert combines his visual expertise with suberb practical skills creating bows which are as functionally finely balanced as they are aesthetically pleasing – each one being an individual, one-off work of art in itself.

Kees van Hemert won The City of Perth Crafts Award for Excellence for the outstanding quality of his bows, and was recently honoured with membership of The Netherlands Association of Violin Makers and Bow Makers.

Kees van Hemert historical bows are used by specialist solo musicians like Hidemi Suzuki and Wouter Möller and chamber early music performers in orchestras such as The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, De Nederlandse Bachvereniging and Anima Eterna, La Petite Bande, Les Arts Florissants and the Japan Bach Collegium. His contemporary bows are used in modern orchestras throughout the world. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 11, 2008 | Hits: 387

"Fabrication d’instruments de musique. Luths & Violes de gambe - Isabelle Venturini" (transl. "Instrument maker, lutes and viola da gamba by Isabelle Venturini" (See website for more info. (ed.))

Added on: Feb 08, 2008 | Hits: 388

"he Consorzio Liutai Antonio Stradivari Cremona was founded in 1996 for the purpose of promoting and making known contemporary Cremonese violin making, which upholds an ancient artisan tradition.

The Consorzio has its seat in Cremona , the city of Stradivari , Amati and Guarneri, the great masters of the past. Their art, known and admired throughout the world, is a source of inexhaustible inspiration for modern instrument makers.

Around sixty master stringed instrument makers from Cremona and its Province belong to the Consorzio. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2008 | Hits: 388

"Born in Cremona in 1954, since his childhood he has been fond of music, and especially of violins. He attended the International Violinmaking School of Cremona, where he graduated in 1972, after studying with masters like Giobatta Morassi and Pietro Sgarabotto. He has his workshop in Cremona, where he makes and restores violins, violas, cellos and doublebasses. He uses classic Cremonese models as well as his own ones, paying particular attention to acoustics and using excellent quality material. His instruments, made by hand in each stage of the construction, are used by concertists and sold all over the world. His primary interest lies in acoustics, and he pays particular attention to the setting-up of instruments. He took part in several ehibitions, and he is member of Cremona "Antonio Stradivari Violin and Bow Makers Consortium. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2008 | Hits: 390

"We have been an experienced firm in selling and servicing harps. Every day we find new challenges. We work for conservatories and orchestras all over Europe. Passionate commitment and expert craftmanship are our strenghts. Whether you want to buy a new or used harp, try new strings or need information on more complicated matters, such as restoration of antique harps, we are more than willing to provide advice and lend a helping hand. Should you plan to visit our showroom, please don’t hesitate to contact us. It will be our pleasure to be of service. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 393

"Born in Milan (Italy) on 1960, at his time he attended fine art high school and Music school (piano). In 1989 he gets the Civic School of Luthery of Milan. In 1991 he starts building his own instruments since then he gets to a lot of exspositions and meetings in Italy and abroad. In 1993 he achieve the final digree as a Luthier and Restorer of Musical Instruments. His Instruments are implied professionally for concerts, recordings and performances all around the known world. Several Conservatoirs did choose his Instruments (Milano, Parma, La Spezia, Venezia, Vicenza, Ginevra, ...) " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 25, 2008 | Hits: 394

"Vittorio and Marcello Villa are Italian violin makers. In their workshop in Cremona, Italy, they make violins, violas, cellos, bowed baroque instruments according to Stradivari, Guarneri, Amati's violinmaking style. Marcello and Vittorio Villa luthiers have also been teachers at IPIALL, the violinmaking school in Cremona. In the world there are many words that indicate the same job: violin maker, fiddle maker, luthier, geigenbauer, geigenmaker, etc.. The Italian word for luthier is liutaio. Violinmakers from Italy are considered the best in the world. Although many people make violins, only few are actually professional makers of fiddles. Marcello and Vittorio Villa are also well known as makers of inlaid decorated instruments (violini intarsiati). Have you ever seen a Villa violin, viola or cello? You can find their violins in many important classical music places in the world, sometimes even along with Stradivarius instruments: orchestras, string quartets, music schools and, of course this web site! ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 06, 2008 | Hits: 401

"I started out (age 13) as a guitar player (electric and acoustic).

Later on, I focused on classical guitar performance and composition (CALARTS, Valencia and California State University, Northridge). My first encounter with the LUTE, was listening to Hopkinson Smith playing Weiss over the waves, as I was driving to school. From then on, lute became more than an interest, it became my passion.

Parallel interests in sculpture and poetry, along with repeated sojourns in Europe in my 20s, led me to a violin maker’s door in Bourges, France. That moment my professional life took a different path, as I stayed and apprenticed with Master Luthier J. Gonthier, for the next three years.

Back in the United States, I built and restored violins for a number of years, while privately pursuing lute playing. My dissatisfaction with my first lute motivated me to start building my own instruments. Encouragement and advice from performers and teachers (chronologically, Pat O’Brien, Edin Karamazov, Hopkinson Smith, Olav Chris Henriksen) led to my turning into a full time lute maker.

While respecting historical building techniques and materials, I strongly believe that lute making is a living art. Clearly, the construction of the instrument evolved continuously over the centuries, driven by new musical styles and performers’ needs to adapt to them. As part of this evolutionary process, I’m always searching for the “ideal” sound, and I try to achieve that with every new instrument I build. I believe—as the late Robert Lundberg put it—that lute making is a way of life. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 06, 2008 | Hits: 401

"Upon completion of his apprenticeship in France and in Germany (Mittenwald), Dominique Freguin opened shop in Strasbourg (France) in 1976, and focuses his work on making and repairing classic string Quartet instruments. In 1978, he was awarded the departmental first prize of the annual contest of S.E.M.A. (Société d’Encouragement des Metiers d’Art).

From 1982 on, Dominique Freguin completed regular training courses under the master Etienne Vatelot, expert luthier. These residencies allow him to hone in his skills in antique instrument restoration through the study of the traditional techniques of the old masters. He also began to collect his own extensive documentation (photographs, blueprints and measurements) on the instruments he works on. He then enlarged his research field to European museums and exhibitions.

In 1992, Dominique Freguin extended his investigations to baroque instruments. He met the viol master Jonathan Dunford who teaches at the Strasbourg National Conservatory. His interest in antique instruments is spurred by frequent interaction with the Baroque classes at the Conservatory. Dominique Freguin was eventually commissioned by the school to make a copy of a 17th century English “dessus de viole” (treble viol). He then built the whole gamut of the viols (bass, tenor and treble), experimenting with French, English and German models.

These instruments are regularly shown in various baroque lutherie events: In Asfeld (France), Utrecht (Holland), London (Great Britain), Berlin and Regensburg (Germany), Paris (France) and Cremone (Italy).

In February 2001, in collaboration with Philippe Foulon, Dominique Fréguin recreated a forgotten musical instrument which had been described by Michel Corrette in a 1781 treatise: “La Viole d’Orphée” (Orpheus’ Viol).The reconstructed instrument was presented to the public during a concert/conference at the “Salon de la Musique” on March 31, 2001 in Paris, France. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 04, 2008 | Hits: 402

“ I have been making musical instruments since 1986. In 1988 I received a grant to study at the London college of Furniture / London Guildhall University and specialised in early stringed instruments, I graduated in 1993 with a degree in Music Technology. I have more recently experimented with making contemporary instruments including the electric guitar.“

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Added on: Jul 11, 2009 | Hits: 402