Roger Hansell Violins
Stages in making a copy of a 17th century Antonio Brenzi viola.
Much of our work at Hansell Violins is devoted to the making of copies for prominent musicians. Antonio Brenzi was an early Bolognese maker. His known instruments are very rare indeed but the sounds of the two violas that I know are exceptionally winning; one viola is played in the London Symphony Orchestra and the other by soloist Lawrence Power. The copy, shown here in stages from its nascence to completion, is based on the example made around 1628 but altered, as so many instruments were, at some point in its history.
The original instrument has a central stave or strip in the belly which may indicate a 'bent section' which would tie it to the tradition of viol making. We created our instrument in the same way in search of the naturally resonant and warm sound. This stage of the making can be seen in the photographs where a bent section is glued between two parts that will subsequently be carved.
Stages in making a copy of a 17th century Antonio Brenzi viola.
Much of our work at Hansell Violins is devoted to the making of copies for prominent musicians. Antonio Brenzi was an early Bolognese maker. His known instruments are very rare indeed but the sounds of the two violas that I know are exceptionally winning; one viola is played in the London Symphony Orchestra and the other by soloist Lawrence Power. The copy, shown here in stages from its nascence to completion, is based on the example made around 1628 but altered, as so many instruments were, at some point in its history.
The original instrument has a central stave or strip in the belly which may indicate a 'bent section' which would tie it to the tradition of viol making. We created our instrument in the same way in search of the naturally resonant and warm sound. This stage of the making can be seen in the photographs where a bent section is glued between two parts that will subsequently be carved.