Early in 2023 the phone rang. "Hello Helen, do you know about Klanggestalten? Would you like to join us this year?". It was an enticing offer and I was keen to accept. The German violin makers’ association Klanggestalten (Designs in Sound) has long been on my radar. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, it was formed by a group of like-minded violin and bow makers to share ideas and promote their work. The highlight of their calendar is an annual exhibition in Berlin of the work of its … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2023
345: violin based on G B Guadagnini 1759
I had the chance to measure this violin several years ago. It was then in the collection of the Royal Northern College of Music, and I was involved in a a project to make a copy of it to add to the college's collection of loan instruments. The copy was made jointly with three other violin makers, and I've made it myself three times before. It's an instrument I like; player friendly as are all Guadagnini's instruments. It has well rounded upper bouts which makes it easy to reach high … [Read more...]
