Fine viola by Markus Klimke, Angers 2013 (gold medalist)

Fine viola by Markus Klimke – a contemporary violin maker who has won numerous gold awards, particularly for violas

This fine viola crafted in 2013 by Marcus Klimke, which is approximately ten years old, hails from the hands of one of the most interesting luthiers of our day. It is an instrument which will rank among the elite, well past the current generation. Marcus Klimke, who was born in Weimar, Germany, made this fine viola in the French town of Angers, where he paved the way to his first great successes as a young employee of Patrick Robin and Andrea Frandsen. After completing his senior project at the Mittenwald school of violin making in 1994, he won a prize for sound at the international violin-making competition of the Violin Society of America (VSA). Around the turn of the century, he received several highly-regarded awards for his violas: a gold medal at the international violin-making competition in Cremona in October 2000, immediately followed one month later by the highest honors at the VSA’s violin-making competition; Klimke was then awarded a bronze for his viola at the Mittenwald violin making competition in 2001 and continued his remarkable streak of successes by winning in Paris in 2004 and 2011, thus solidly documenting Marcus Klimke’s expertise and spirited interest in creating outstanding violas. Indeed, he brings far more to his work than merely a peripheral artistic interest: the outstanding tonal properties, exceptional artisanal quality and tasteful aesthetics of this Marcus Klimke viola set standards in modern violin making. Based on a model inspired by Giacomo Gennaro and in the style of the Amati brothers, with expressively cut F-holes and a pleasantly slender neck, Marcus Klimke has created a highly attractive instrument. The strikingly grained northern Italian spruce top and the beautifully flamed, two-piece back made of first-class maple speak a confident language, while the characterful carving of the scroll reveals Marcus Klimke's interest in individually crafted details. From the moment it was made, this viola was played intensively by its first owner; a period that has left very few marks on the varnish of the viola, but has brought its warm, lovely sound to its most beautiful development. Well played in and perfectly adjusted once again by Markus Klimke, the resonant, balanced fullness of its tone convinces musicians with the highest standards. The price includes a certificate of authenticity from Marcus Klimke.