Violin makers: Information on the life and work of outstanding masters
Great violin makers and master violin makers have been brought forth by history of violin making, all of whom established traditions and set standards which are still valid in our time. Examining the legacy of these brilliant violin makers is rightfully a major aspect of what contemporary violin makers study, and nearly every violin maker working today would agree that the major fundamentals of the art were defined generations ago.
Contemporary violin makers, a flowering of the art
Nevertheless, many contemporary violin makers feel as if they are overshadowed by their famous predecessors, and as a matter of fact people’s fascination with historic masterpieces can make it difficult to appreciate the outstanding achievements of our times. But we do not need any blind tests which pair of historic Italian violins against contemporary violin makers' instruments to understand that we live in a time of abundance. Our day and age may not be as strongly characterized by trail-blazing innovations, but there is still a high standard of artisanry amongst nowadays violin makers, and this standard can hold its own against that of the golden days.
Young violin makers and the new openness of the craft
Nowadays, younger generations of violin makers are much more unguarded and stay in open contact with their colleagues, and everyone benefits from the resulting exchange of ideas. In this overview of new artists in the field of violin making, we have listed contemporary violin makers who have come to our attention because of their solid approach, their distinctive profile and of course the excellent quality of their work. It goes without saying that this list of contemporary violin makers cannot be considered comprehensive:
The best contemporary violin makers:
- Marcus Klimke, violin maker, Trelaze, France [Portrait]
- Christoph Götting, master violin maker and viola maker, Wiesbaden, Germany [Portrait]
- Daniele Scolari, maestro liutaio, violin maker, Cremona, Italy [Portrait]
- Stephan von Baehr, violin maker, Paris, France [Portrait]
- Jan B. Špidlen, violin maker, Prague, Czech Republic [Portrait]
- Roberto Regazzi, liutaio, Bologna, Italy
- Frank Ravatin, luthier, Vannes, France
- Cristiano Ferrazzi, violin maker, Verona, Italy
- Alessandro Ciciliati, liutaio, Italy
- Patrick Robin luthier, violin maker, Angers, FR [Portrait]
- Joseph Curtin, violin maker, Ann Arbor, USA
- Samuel Zygmuntowicz, violin maker, New York, USA [Portrait]
- Jacques Francais, Jacques Francais Rare Violins Inc., violin maker & restorer, New York, USA
- Hans Nebel, violin maker, restorer, New Jersey, USA
- Andreas Hudelmayer, violin maker, fine new instruments, London, UK
- John Dilworth, Violin Viola & Cello Maker & Restorer, Oxford, UK
- Roger Hargrave, violin maker, London, UK
- Franco Simeoni, Liuitaio, Violin maker, Treviso, Italy
- Giorgio Grisales, violin maker, Cremona, Italy
- Christopher Rowe and Elspeth Rowe, violin and viola makers, Welwyn, Herts, UK
- David Munro, violin maker, Romsey, UK
- Tibor Szemmelveisz, violin maker & restorer, London, UK
- Christoph Germain, violin maker, Philadelphia, USA
- Christoph Landon, expert and violin maker, New York, USA
- Peter Paul Prier, violin maker, Prier & Sons, Salt Lake City, USA
- David Burgess, violin maker, Ann Arbor, USA
- Benoit Rolland, bow maker, Boston, USA
- Michael Darnton, violin maker, Chicago, USA
- Andrew Ryan, violin maker, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Joseph Curtin, violin maker, Ann Arbor, USA
The most important violin makers in history
The following violin makers have shaped the history of their guild or are among its most interesting exponents in the present. An overview of the most famous violin makers portrayed without claim to completeness - in chronological order:
- Giovanni Paolo Maggini (1580-1632)
- Nicolò Amati (1596-1684)
- Jacob Stainer (1618-1683)
- Antonio Stradivari (1648-1737)
- Caspar Hopf (1650-1711)
- Matthias Klotz (1653-1743)
- Carlo Giuseppe Testore (ca. 1660-1716)
- Sebastian Klotz (1696-1775)
- Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (1698-1744)
- Nicolò Gagliano (1710-1785)
- Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (1711-1786)
- David Christian Hopf senior (1734-1803)
- Giovanni Francesco Pressenda (1777-1854)
- Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1798-1875)
- Joseph Hel (1842-1902)
- Leandro Bisiach (1864-1946)
- Gaetano Sgarabotto (1878-1959)
Behind every exceptional violin, there is an exceptional violin maker. These talented artisans meticulously craft each instrument with a perfect blend of craftsmanship, skill, and dedication. The field of violin making yet has secrets to discover which are explored by renowed violin makers who continue to shape the industry today.
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