Charles Buthod worked for Vuillaume in Paris before joining Husson in Mirecourt to found a workshop making instruments of exceptionally high quality, with Buthod as director. This violin has an exceptional tone, Strong, rich and complex with lots of color and overtones and very easy to play.
As a member of a large family of violin makers, Louis (Isadore) Cabasse studied with his father Charles and with J.B.Vuillaume in Paris. He was especially noted for his cellos.
The Klotz family of violin makers was founded by Matthias (1653-1743) and continued on through the first part of the 20th Century. Aegidius Klotz (1733-1805) is considered one of the best makers of the family. This viola is of large proportions and has a big full sound of excellent quality.
The Bernardel family is one of the most important and esteemed in French violin making. Beginning with Auguste Sebastien Philippe who joined with Nicolas Lupot in 1815, the Bernardels continued on in Paris for over a century. This is a beautiful and classic example this important family’s work.
After a four year apprenticeship in Bern, Otto Schenk came to the U.S. and worked with Hans Weisshaar in Los Angeles for four years and then in New York with Jacques Français four more years before returning to Bern where he set up his own workshop. Over the years he has won numerous awards at major competitions.
Carlisle made his first violin in 1910 and by 1914 he was associated with Rudolf Wurlitzer in Cincinnati. In the first part of the 20th century, Wurlitzer was one of the largest musical instrument dealers in the world with several locations around the country and were one of the most important violin dealers in the U.S. Carlisle made a number of fine violins for them over many years. This is an especially nice example of his work.
Like so many French makers, Delivet apprenticed in Mirecourt. After working there with Victor Rambaux, he moved to Paris working with H.C.Silvestre. He opened his own shop in Paris in 1892. His work was highly regarded and he won numerous gold medals in major exhibitions. In 1918 he emigrated to Canada working in Toronto and Montreal. This violin has a nice brilliant and responsive tone.
One of the most important dynasties of German violin making was the Klotz family of Markneukirchen. Matthias I was born in Markneukirchen in 1653 and was the first maker of the family with the family tradition continuing well into the 20th. century. This viola dates from the 18th century and is of the classic Klotz family style. It has an outstanding tone and is of a very comfortable size.
Born in England, Michael Scoggins started playing the violin at the age of eight. He studied violin performance in college. After emigrating to America, he studied violin making at the Salt Lake school graduating in 1982. He worked for Peter Prier managing his shop until 1984. He then set up his own workshop in Salt Lake. This viola has a wonderful, powerful tone. The back is of poplar which he frequently used.
The firm of Gand & Bernardel Frères was formed by Charles Nicolas Gand and Ernest Bernardel in 1866 and became one of the most important violin firms in the World. This beautiful violin is a fine example of their work and has a brilliant, direct tone quality.
Steve Lohmann studied at the Cremona violin making school and returned to San Francisco, where he worked with Frank Passa then with Boyd Poulsen in San Mateo and Carl Applebaum in Olympia, Washington. He set up his own workshop in Sacramento in 1992. This is an excellent example of Steve’s early work.
After training in Mirecourt, Hidalgo Moya established his workshop in Aylestone, England in 1890. His work has always been highly regarded for his fine craftsmanship and tone qualities.
Born in 1967, Maurizio worked with his grandfather Carlo Pizzamaglio then graduated from The Cremona School of Violin Making in 1985. He has gone on to win many awards and medals at international competitions. This is an interesting example of his early work and has a certificate from Chris Reuning.
Andrus Faruolo descends from a family of instrument makers in Italy. His work is well known on the East Coast, For many years he was the Luthier in residence at the Meadowmount School of Music in New York, with letters of recognition from faculty members like Josef Gingold.