EarlyMusicNews.Org

"The Thurau-Harfenmanufaktur makes a range of instruments of the harp family, including reconstructions of early harps from the 11th to the 19th century and modern concert harp. We also undertake restorations on early pedal harps, for both public and private collections. This depth of knowledge and experience is naturally reflected in the range and quality of the instruments described here in. Since more than thirty years costumers of the USA, Australia, Japan, South-America, Canada, Russia, and all Europe as well as famous early harpists like Cheryl Ann Fulton, Mara Galassi, Arianna Savall, Christina Pluhar, Hannelore De Vaere, Marie Nishiyama, Ben Bagby, Bill Taylor and many others appreciate and purchase our historical harps. Many museums in England, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Germany collect early harps of our manufacture due to the authenticity and high quality of our work of art and craft. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 533

"I have spent over twenty-years working with harps. I began studying harps from home on the early 1980s, later deciding to study Musical Instrument Technology at the London College of furniture. After which, I then spent nine years managing the workshops of a leading harp business. At this business I carried out numerous repairs, restorations and the production of my first replica 'Welsh Triple Harp'. Since January 1998 I have been running my own workshop in sunny Devon.

My love is for the recreation of historical harps. Keeping very much to the original design, great accuracy is spent to ensure the instruments are both pleasing to the eye and ear. When making commissioned pieces every care is taken to ensure the customers individual requirements are met. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 512

"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: 392

"As a harp maker I recreate early harps as facsimile or copy after well chosen originals. Extended researches are followed by careful handcrafts. More than 30 years of experience in musical instrument making guarantee each harp as a masterpiece. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 590

"Early Harps were also visually aesthetic instruments in the culture in which they were originated, based on historical- physical- technical princip of period. Musical and visual beauty, maden by musicians and the harpmakers united to create a fascinateing atmasphere. Eric Kleinmann sees it as his task to pass on this rich heritage. The instruments are handmade. The basis of his work is the personly instrumentexploration in museums and colections around the world. The coloring and varnishing is maden with natural materials from old prescriptions.

The speciality is also the harps maden from iconographic studies in early paintings, manuscrips and sculpturs. Eric makes also individual instruments to customers requirement. Customers are international Musicians and Ensembles from Swizerland, France, USA, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Japan and Great Britain. Museum and collections ask for help and advice in Historical Harps. Lectures about Historical-Harp-Subjects are held in Conservatories, Universities and Technical-schools as well as at international Harp- and Musicinstrument-Congress. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 454

"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: 364

"It is by making classical guitars and flamencas that he began to work out stringed instruments. Student of Luc Breton, he was quickly interested in old instruments that ensure quite easily the application of traditional stringed intruments manufacture.

After having built oriental lutes, he devoted several years to baroque instruments, by manufacturing viola da gamba, tenors, upper of viols, overcoat of viols, baroque violins, baroque cellos and piccolo cellos.

He also practises restoration of old intruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 576

"Born in Genova, Italy, in 1948, I started teaching myself how to build period musical instruments out of sheer passion and curiosity in 1979. Later on I took formal apprenticeship in the shop of the Genoese master luthier De Vincenzi. In 1982 I was one of the Founding Members of the Genoese Artistic Luthiery Society.

For years I have specialized in replicas of baroque bowed instruments, of the Viola da Gamba family in particular, but also baroque violin and cello. Besides these philological reproductions, for which I'm aided by bibliographic and artistic researches and by consulting many professional musicians and experts in this field, I also perform baroque reconversion of original baroque instruments which have been modified in the course of the years, restoring them to their original aesthetic and functional features. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 450

" ... Since 1995 I focused my attention on baroque bows and they are now my main activity. In 2002 I completed the bows’ catalogue of the Orpheon Foundation in Wien (Austria) and, in 2003, brought to an end the one of the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. In 2005 I started the listing of historical bows by the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) in Bruxelles (Belgium) and edited the complete records of the two bows belonged to G.Tartini collected in the conservatorio di musica of Trieste (Italy).In 2007 started the catalogation of the hirtorical bows collected by the Accademia nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. ...

In cooperation with F.Lowenberger and stringmaker Mimmo Peruffo I started a program for spreading and sharing knowledge about the evolution of stringed instruments; its goal is to issue a support for all the musicians who want to perform “historically informed”.

Alongside with the production on bows I actually work in instruments repair and set-up, during my free time I also carry out my own research on classical guitars. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 493

"My studio is a very rare studio dedicated to the research and preservation of the inheritance of European violin-making culture between 1511 and 1789. Brief history:

• I apprenticed to the instrument maker Viktor Oiberman at the age of 11.

• My first studio was opened in St.Petersburg in 1991, shortly after my very first violin received a Diploma at the Russian National Competition of violin-makers in 1991.
• In 1994 I moved to Brussels and dedicated myself to the research into the violin history and aesthetics, including the history of violin repertoire and baroque violin playing (under Sigiswald Kuijken).
• In 2002 I opened my studio in Brussels and made instruments and baroque bows for a few soloists such as Sigiswald Kuijken, Francois Fernandez, Ryo Terakado, Luis Otavio Santos and others, for the members of ensembles such as La Petite Bande, Ricercar Consort, Bach Collegium Japan and some others.
• As whole I made 60 instruments and used to keep a waiting list for both the instruments and bows. The secret is in my appealing approach to the European violin-making in the spirit of the Baroque, and in my ability to play the instruments I make (I graduated from St.Petersburg State and Brussels Royal Conservatories).
• In 2006 I opened my studio in o­ne of the greenest areas of Tokyo, 35 minutes from the city centre."
  

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 499

" From my most early studies of violin making I gravitated towards instruments intended for historical performance practice, making my first baroque violin in 1973 when I was still a student. About that time I began to research early instruments and set up, spending time in museums with as many unaltered instruments as the curators would allow. In the late 1970s I came to the conclusion that our early instrument reproductions would not work to expectation with the gut strings that were available at the time and I started to study the properties of historical strings based on old extant samples that I had taken out of violin cases over the years, historical descriptions of the string making process and early comments on the nature of strings. This led me to the conclusion that the only way to make authentically styled historical strings was to make them myself. The string making process does not lend itself to making just a few strings when needed, so I found myself developing a new business that developed into Gamut Musical Strings.

My interest in lutes began while I was at college in London where I became friends with several of the lute players and makers in the early 1970s. I began to study these instruments and make reproductions in 1977 and they have been part of my catalog ever since. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 438

"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

See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 360

"Lutemakers working in central London, Stephen Barber and Sandi Harris make a range of instruments of the lute family, including renaissance lutes and baroque lutes, along with archlutes, theorbos, chitarroni, baroque guitars, vihuelas of all types, specialising in fluted-back vihuelas.

Long-established, our combined experience of lute making exceeds fifty years, during which time we have made approaching one thousand instruments; Stephen made his first lute – a copy of an original Venere lute owned by Robert Spencer – in 1972, and Sandi made her first lute in 1983, under Stephen's guidance.

We went on to form a unique, highly-successful and very efficient equal working partnership, and we usually produce around 30 instruments between us in a typical year. Our workshop in Peacock Yard was established in 1980. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 481

"Ian Watchorn began his professional career as a maker & repairer of instruments in Sydney, Australia in 1976, moving to Canberra in 1979.

1982 received grants from Australia Council and NSW Premiers Department to study musical instrument conservation at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg, Germany under Friedemann Hellwig and John Henry van der Meer.

1984 accepted the post of conservator at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, and was later acting senior conservator there before returning to Australia in 1987.

1987 - 1990 worked on the conservation and collection development for the musical instrument collection at the Power House Museum, Sydney, and later as curator of the same collection.

1990 - present working privately as maker, conservator & consultant in Melbourne, Australia.

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 770

"I have been fascinated by the shape and sound of the violin since early childhood and even during my days at Art College in England where I studied Painting, Sculpture and Textile Design, I played the violin and had a desire to make them. I have also played the saxophone and flute since that time. Much later, after retraining in Graphic Design and years in Advertising and teaching Graphic Design at Monash University in Victoria (Chisholm Campus), a spell in a popular Rock band of the day, some work in music retailing and general gigging around Melbourne playing Violin and Saxophone and Flute, I eventually started to study, repair and make violins. That was in 1975 and has continued to this day. In 1991 I came to Western Australia and concentrated more on making than repairing. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 06, 2008 | Hits: 525

"The bow I make for your instrument incorporates the finest of materials and quality workmanship. In order to insure the quality of materials, I travel to Brazil for pernambuco wood, to Spain for blackwood and Paris for mammoth ivory and abalone. Acquiring materials, learning their characteristics, interacting with musicians, and studying bows in collections and museums are all integral factors in my personalized approach to bow making.

I began developing my skills in 1981 with a two year apprenticeship in the French method in Portland, Oregon with Robert Shallock. In 1984 and '85 I attended workshops with William Salchow, Fullbright Scholar in bow making. On invitation in 1996, I attended the Oberlin Bow making Workshop, sharing in the collective knowledge of some of the best bow makers of this generation. I work in my studio in Port Townsend, Washington, using time-honed skills and giving attention to every detail needed to achieve artistry and excellence in every bow I make.

You may try my handmade bows on an approval procedure. You will know which bow is best for you and your instrument by testing them in in your specific contexts. I will be happy to provide you with a finely crafted bow that will enable you to reach your optimum potential as a musician. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 26, 2008 | Hits: 484

"I began making violins in 1979 at the Violin Making School of America. After graduating from there in 1983, I moved to New York City to work with William L. Monical, where I stayed for four years. While in New York I took advantage of many opportunities to examine, both inside and out, a spectrum of very fine modern and historical instruments. Since 1987 I have lived and worked in Seattle, Washington. I continue to study instruments often and to participate in ongoing professional violin making forums. Taking opportunities to examine fine instruments continues to be invaluable toward developing insight into classical construction techniques and tonal characteristics.

I build violins, violas and cellos for musicians specializing in modern performance practices. I also build instruments in an historically informed manner for musicians specializing in period performance. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 26, 2008 | Hits: 494

"OMI is made up of Alden and Cali Hackmann. We are the only workshop in North America dedicated exclusively to building hurdy-gurdies. We have been building them since 1988, when we began building a kit instrument that inspired us to build a more advanced model. We presently have several models available, and we offer repair and restoration services, as well as a range of other products related to the hurdy-gurdy.

We are located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, from which we get our business name. Our town is Indianola, which is on the shore of Puget Sound with a view of Seattle. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 26, 2008 | Hits: 428

"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: 387

Maker of bows for all string instruments, based o­n historical examples from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Bows for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Violone, Viola D'amore, Viols (bass, tenor and treble).

Added on: Jul 13, 2005 | Hits: 571