0161 972 0839 helen@helenviolinmaker.com

Helen Violin Maker

modern violin maker

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Work In Progress

324: violin based on Carlo Bergonzi 1731

16th January 2021

New year, new lockdown. We violin makers are so lucky to have work we enjoy and I really feel the benefit of a nice warm, quiet, safe environment to work in. Never has my lovely purpose-built workshop seemed more enticing. As orders are thin on the ground I’m enjoying continuing my exploration of models I’ve …read more

323: cello based on ‘de Munck’ Stradivari 1730

18th December 2020

I’ve had a long period of catching up with odd jobs, varnishing and finishing instruments, also preparing and cooking resins for varnish, and some work for the charity I chair which supports student violin makers, www.rabtrust.org. Now at last I’m properly back at the workbench, with an exciting new project. I’ve had this cello model …read more

322: 14 1/4 inch (36.2cm) cornerless viola 2020

28th October 2020

This viola is a commission from a family in the West Midlands, UK, for their musical son. He’s on a smaller viola at present and we have timed  making the viola, I hope, so he will be just ready for it when it’s finished. The back and front are made from solid wood, two pieces …read more

321: 14 1/4 inch (36.2cm) cornerless viola 2020

29th August 2020

I don’t know if there is any connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, but I’ve had a surge in interest in my small violas for young players. Perhaps it’s just chance or maybe families and teachers are extra-focussed on the wellbeing and development of their children. Whatever the reason, I’m always happy to make these small …read more

320: Violin based on Antonio Stradivari 1734 ‘Habeneck’

15th August 2020

This is fast becoming my signature violin model! I made it for the first time last year as a commission for a front-desk player in the Hallé Orchestra; I thought it would meet her requirements, and I love its quirky charm and asymmetry. There are many aspects of the design which work especially well to …read more

319: 16 5/8 inch (42.3cm) viola based on Gasparo da Salo

21st July 2020

I’ve had a break of several weeks from the workbench: I had to move out of the workshop to work temporarily in the house in mid-January, as the workshop was suffering water ingress and had to be stripped out and tanked. Fortunately the builders finished just before the UK’s Covid-19 lockdown, and my wonderful brother …read more

318: 16 inch (40.5cm) viola based on Gasparo da Salo

12th July 2020

  This is one of my favourite viola models; I’ve made it many times and a number of my earlier versions are now playing full-time in orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia. It’s based on a tenor viola that is in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, …read more

317: Violin based on Stradivari 1734 ‘Habeneck’

23rd December 2019

I made a violin based on this model earlier in the year, for a front-desk player in the Hallé Orchestra. I really liked the model; its quirky asymmetry is appealing but more importantly the arching shapes seemed as if they would give a violin with power, richness and warmth. This proved to be so, and …read more

316: Cello based on Francesco Ruggieri

13th December 2019

This has become one of my favourite cello models. I first came across it a few years ago when in collaboration with three fellow violin makers we made a copy of it as a project at the Royal Northern College of Music, which owns the original. It’s a fine instrument with a rich quality of …read more

315: 16 5/8 inch (42.3cm) viola based on Gasparo da Salo

17th October 2019

This viola is a commission from a player who already has one of my violas but would like a larger size. He’s a student at the Royal Academy of Music and has a busy time with competitions and concerts. I’ve made this model several times; it has been really popular with orchestral musicians and at …read more

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Contact Helen

1A Grasmere Road
Sale
Manchester
M33 3QU
UK

helen@helenviolinmaker.com
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0161 972 0839
0044 161 972 0839

Latest from Helen

324: violin based on Carlo Bergonzi 1731

New year, new lockdown. We violin makers are so lucky to have work we enjoy and I really feel the … Read More...

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