Alle Beiträge von Ulrike Dederer

Violin making

Violin making

The violin and related instruments were developed in northern Italy around 1540 and have been made continuously since that time.
In Cremona, during four generations, the Amati family made violins, violas and cellos on the highest level of craftsmanship. In that sphere of violin making Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù created their masterpieces.

Later, in the 19th and 20th century there were violin makers, ­ in particular Giuseppe Fiorini and Simone Sacconi ­ who preserved or rediscovered important knowledge. Fiorini bequeathed the tools, patterns, moulds and construction drawings of Stradivari to the town of Cremona ­ where they are now exhibited in the Museo del Violino. Sacconi examined the instruments of Stradivari during his restoration work and made accurate documentations. He published his observations and conclusions in the book „The ’secrets‘ of Stradivari“. For many years Sacconi was teaching at the International Violin Making School in Cremona and influenced following generations of violin makers.

I learned the art of violin making at the International School of Violinmaking in Cremona. There I studied the „metodo classico cremonese“ with Vincenzo Bissolotti ­ son of Francesco Bissolotti who was pupil of Sacconi. When I got my diploma I dedicated myself for over 12 years to restoration, expertise and sound adjustment of fine instruments. These years of experience gave me expertise and inspiration for my later making of new instruments.

I study regularly the results of the latest researches on old violins and relate these to my work (e.g. F. Denis‘ study about construction drawings of violins). The chairman of the 2011 Wieniawski Violin Making Competition called my violin „an exceptional violin ­­ very well done„.

My instruments have won several awards in international competitions:

  • In 1993: finalist at the International Violin Making Competition in Prague achieving first place for sound quality.
  • In 2011: 3rd prize and bronze medal at the 12th Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition in Poznan.
  • In 2011: finalist at the Concours Etienne Vatelot in Paris.
  • In 2012: 1st prize and gold medal for viola at the XIII. Concorso Triennale degli strumenti ad arco «Antonio Stradivari» in Cremona.

Beyond highest standards of craftmanship, my work is focused on developing the individual sound of each instrument to suit the musician.

awards

Awards

My instruments have won awards in International competitions:
  • 1st prize and gold medal for viola at the XIII. Concorso Triennale degli strumenti ad arco «Antonio Stradivari» in Cremona 2012
  • awardee at the violin sound competition «Jakob Stainer» in Hinterzarten 2012
  • 3rd prize and bronze medal at the 12thHenryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition in Poznan 2011
  • finalist at the Concours Etienne Vatelot in Paris 2011
  • finalist at the International Violin Making Competition in Prague achieving first place for tone quality 1993
  • 21st Century Violin Search, Indianapolis 2018: my violin among the Top 13.
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Teaching: Varnishing classes in Cremona, January-February 2019

Alessandro Tossani, violin restorer in Cremona and owner of Cremonatools asked me to give lessons in varnishing to professional violin makers. During four days I was explaining and demonstrating my way of varnishing. Additionally Alesssandro invited two scientists (Marco Malagodi/Museo del violino and Sarah Lämmlein/EMPA) and two producers of fine pigments (Marco Fantuzzi and Wallace Seymour LTD) for lectures about varnish properties and chemistry.
Thank you, Alessandro!

(f.l.t.r.: Marco Fantuzzi, Alessandro Tossani, Ulrike Dederer, Marco Malagodi)

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21ST CENTURY VIOLIN SEARCH:
MY VIOLIN AMONG THIRTEEN BEST SOUNDING VIOLINS

At the 21st CENTURY VIOLIN SEARCH  2018 in Indianapolis I was invited to present a violin for this competition. The aim was to find the best sounding violin under blind-testing conditions among all 45 instruments which have been entered.
My violin entered the second round of the top thirteen violins.
I am very happy about this success!

Find all informations and results here:
www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20189/27462/

References

References

Patricia Kopatchinskaja – Violonist
Soloist

patkop

„The viola is wonderful, easy to handle and strong. I feel connected to it.“

Patricia Kopatchinskaja owns a viola 16‘‘ (made to her personal requirements).

 

Ursula Sarnthein – Violist
trio oreade, Tonhalle Orchester Zürich

Trio Oreade
„I am very affected by your viola. The instrument is easy to play and I love its sound very much.”
Ursula Sarnthein owns a viola 17‘‘ (a Antonius&Hieronymus Amati model)

2012 : 1st prize and gold medal, XIII. Concorso Triennale Internationale di Cremona

Akiko Yatani – Violist and Member of the Jury of the Concorso Triennale 2012
about the gold medal winning viola:
„Non era solo uno strumento esteticamente bello, ma anche molto facile da suonare. Quando ho iniziato a provarlo ho sentito subito una grande forza e un spirito sano nel suono” – “Apart from being a beautiful instrument the viola was very easy to play. When I tried it the first time I felt at once a great power and a lively esprit .“

This viola is part of the collection of the Stradivari Fondation and is exhibited in the Museo del Violino in Cremona.

 

2011: 3rd prize and bronze medal, 12. Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition

medaille

Roger Hargrave – Chairman of the Jury of the Wieniawski Violin Making Competition 2011
About the bronze medal winning violin:

„An exceptional violin, very well done.”

This violin is part of the collection of the Wieniawski Fondation in Poznan and is exhibited and played regularly.