EarlyMusicNews.org

“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

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 26, 2012 | Hits: 420

"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: 576

See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 483

“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.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 233

"Born in Genoa in 1961, after graduating High School he is admitted in 1980 to the International Violinmaking School of Cremona, where he studies under the direction of V.Bissolotti, W.Zambelli and Stefano Conia, taking the degree in 1984. In that period he attends Sesto Rocchi's laboratory; later he continues his apprenticeship in the workshop of Joe Curtin and Gregg Alf. Alberto Giordano estabilished in Genoa in 1987.

Since 1994 colaborates to the preservation of the 'Cannone', the famous violin of Guarneri del Gesù owned by Niccolò Paganini, property of the City of Genoa.

In 2004 together with Bruce Carlson and Pio Montanari, he attend the violin of Paganini's refurbishment also called the ‘Historical Recover’. The work is the result of intense researches in civic and private genoese archives and the result of the in depth analysis of the technical and organological features of the violin of Paganini.

The goal of this work was the removing of the recent interventions made on the Cannone in order to recreate the historical image of the violin as it was left by Paganini (see Strad October 2004).

A studier and researcher of the italian violinmaking, Alberto Giordano has written a number of articles, essays and books. He is contributor for ‘The Strad’ magazine. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 846

" ... 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: 761

"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: 654

"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: 603

"The bows that I make are modelled after early bows or well known typologies, and are built with extreme care using top quality materials. The wood used are the traditional ones, above all "snakewood". European wood is used to build Renaissance bows.

Some bows can be made with different mechanisms: "button and screw", "settled frog" or "clip-in system". The "clip-in system" gives the user the quality of the sound typical of the "settled frog mechanism" coupled with the possibility of moving the frog to obtain the desired tension. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 642

"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: 510

"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: 544

"All the listed instruments are built upon original historical models surviving in Museums and collections. The description of the models is just informative and not a bond; the construction will follow any wish and need of the customer.

I've been making lutes since 1988, and have built instruments for players from Europe, United States and Japan. Thanks to the help and suggestions of many distinguished players, I've been able to fine tune my workmanship and to develop the sound quality and a more personal style. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 02, 2008 | Hits: 752

"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: 534

" ... 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: 399

"... Following a year of national service as an auxiliary fireman, I began my apprenticeship in the Milan workshop of the master violinmaker Celestino Farotto in 1979. 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 06, 2008 | Hits: 986

"Sergio Gistri was born in Poggibonsi (Siena, Italy) in 1958. His work is devoted exclusively to the construction of bowed instruments (especially violas da gamba and violones) inspired to 16th, 17th, 18th century originals, after a passionate study (since 1993) of the originals preserved in the main public and private collections in Europe, and an intense training with M° Paolo Sorgentone in instrument restoration and building. His instruments today are played by famous musicians and important ensembles (such as Modo Antiquo, Accademia Strumentale Italiana, Venice Baroque Orchestra, Europa Galante, Accademia Bizantina and others in Italy and Europe), also in many recordings. He has taken part with his works to several international meetings and exhibitions. His creations (up to now, about 80 in the world) follow closely the construction features and procedures of the originals, but also embed the results of his own research about acoustics and style. Moreover, Sergio's instruments are each time a custom project, set up and discussed with the musician in order to fit all her/his needs for playing and artistic expression." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Aug 01, 2008 | Hits: 561

"The Toro family, from the city of Salle, province of Pescara in the region of Abruzzo, Italy, has been manufacturing high quality gut strings since 1965. Today, these hand made strings are produced by the Toro Brothers and their artisans using the very best techniques.

Our aim, supported by constant research and painstaking experimentations, is to offer natural gut strings produced by modern technologies respecting the ancient Italian Salle stringmakers' tradition to reach the magic sound that only gut, among all materials, can achieve.

The Toro family produces gut strings with the strictest respect to historical authenticity with the aim of recovering the typical proportions and materials of the gut strings in use in the past.

The instruments particularly used in the above mentioned musical material are: violin, viola, cello, double bass, pardessus, tenor viol, treble viol, bass viol, Baroque and Renaissance bass viol, violone, lutes and classical guitar, theorbos. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2008 | Hits: 632

"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: 672

"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: 580

“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.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 13, 2011 | Hits: 441

"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 10, 2008 | Hits: 539

"In the last 25 years, working as maker of bowed instruments I was in the opportunity to measure a number of original 17th and 18th century instruments . Instruments from makers like Barak Norman, Edward Lewis, Cheron, Bertrand, Rombouts, Jacobs, Hellmer, Stradivari, Castagnieri, Linarol and Ciciliano.

This list of names concludes as well old cellos and basses as all members of the viol family, from treble to consort bass, and the viola d'amore. On the next pages of this website you will find pictures with a short description from several 'copys' from old models which I made in the last two decades. ... "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 23, 2008 | Hits: 688

"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: 482

“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.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 363

“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.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 08, 2012 | Hits: 392