A new international initiative, The String Circle, has launched in
Cremona, with the aim of creating a dialogue of mutual support between a network of international master luthiers and promising young string players, promoting the professional and artistic growth of both.
Be welcome to visit the website: https://thestringcircle.eu/en/
The exhibition Ekho#4 is taking place during the reknown Queen Elisabeth Competition. I am invited to present two of my instruments. I am looking forward to being there in person.
Concorso Triennale di Cremona September 4 – October 10, 2021
It is a great honour to me to serve as a jury member in this most
important international violin making competition. We now have a very high level in contemporary violin making. It will be challenging to award gold medal in the field of finalists.
My article in the Strad Magazine, October 2020
https://www.thestrad.com/lutherie/making-matters-why-varnish-matters/11163.article
Three years ago Sarah Lämmlein, researcher at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), contacted me and asked about my varnishing procedure.
That time she was researching the influence of varnish systems on moisture protection and on vibrational properties of violin wood.
In the article I explain my varnishing systems and Sarah’s research and results.
A course for violin makers run by François Perego
Brittany, August 2020
François Perego is a leading expert for varnish and pigment making. His background is in chemistry and painting restoration. The course programme included preparing linseed oil, melting different resins as colofony, amber and sandarac and cooking varnishes:
alchemy of the Renaissance!
In February the Swiss Violin Making Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary. There will be concerts, talks and an exhibition with instruments made for the anniversary – I will present a violin.
Celebrate with us!
«I really see a renaissance happening with violin and bow making today». – Julie Reed-Yeboah
Every year since 2012 I am invited to present an instrument at this exhibition.
At the opening concert you will hear my violin played – enjoy!
(please notice the interview here)
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)
The 23rd Violin Making Competition by the Violin Society of America is held in Cleveland/OH November 4–8, 2018.
I am very happy to be part of this exciting event as a jury member in the categories viola, cello and quartet.
„Our dual mission is to recognize those makers who are at the top of their field, and help those not there yet to learn how they might do better. Our efforts today will make sure we have top tier violin and bow makers tomorrow.“
Ryan McLaughlin, Chair of the Competition Committee
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/
