A year of INNOVATION

CASES

Various colourful cases arrived this year. Shar Music’s Lion carbon-fibre violin case provides an affordable option for players still searching for a high-quality and durable case. The case is available in both a rectangular version and a more compact ‘dart’ shape and comes in five different colours. BAM’s 'Youngster' half-and 3/4-size violin case was also released in various colours. Featuring injected foam cushioning, an accessories compartment, two bow holders and a sheet music pocket, it is designed to bring all the advantages of a full-size violin case to younger players. Gewa introduced its Air Avantgarde violin case as an addition to its Air range. Combining shock absorbency and low thermal conductivity, the Air Avantgarde comes in a choice of four colours and has a handstitched leather handle and space for four bows.

High-end style was a priority for some cases.Designed in collaboration with violinist Vanessa- Mae, BAM released its France cases for violin, viola and cello. With a black leather top and aluminium bottom, the simple yet elegant design is part of the larger France travelling collection, which also includes handbags and suitcases. With air travel in mind, Masuratini released the violin travel case set. Compact and with a separate, easily attachable bow case, it is designed to give players a better chance of flying with their instrument as hand luggage.

BAM's France case

As always, protection was an important concern for many case manufacturers this year. One example was Musafia’s ‘bulletproof’ violin case layered with the extra-tough material Kevlar. The Violin Cocoon from Violin Cocoon Vienna is designed to offer an additional protective layer inside a case. The handstitched and sustainable fabric enclosure keeps the instrument free from dust, and is available for violin, viola and cello, in various materials from kimono silks to vintage brocade.

Above Gewa's Air Avantgarde violin case Left The Violin Cocoon

SHOULDER RESTS AND CHIN RESTS

Kun introduced the colourful Shanghai Series Bravo shoulder rest. The hardwood laminate rest is available in three designs inspired by Chinese art, and features non-collapsible brass feet. Luthier Peter Mach released the Mach One 43mm-wide violin shoulder rest made of maple with suede leather padding. Its straight form provides an alternative to the standard S-shape shoulder rest. Dolfinos’s Pure violin chin rest is designed to reduce pressure on the wood, increase stability between the violin and rest, and to have minimal impact on the instrument’s natural acoustics. It is freely adjustable and up to 40 per cent lighter than traditional ebony chin rests.

Above and below Kun's Shanghai Series Bravo shoulder rests

RESPONDING TO COVID-19

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the last year has seen the release of many unique products. Though unable to be celebrated in concert halls, Beethoven’s 250th anniversary inspired Bärenreiter to create a Beethoven face mask (above right). Anticipating a return to live performance, RAT Stands designed the Rshield BioScreen, which aims to provide protection from droplets and can easily be turned into a music stand when needed. And in case you missed the quintessential smells of your local lutherie establishment, Abraham Díaz Romero’s 704 Cremonensis eau de parfum recreates the smells of woods, essential oils and resins found in the ateliers of master violin makers (right).

STRINGS

Several new sets of cello strings were released over the past year, with two coming from Danish manufacturer Larsen. Channelling Paganini’s 1743 ‘Il Cannone’

Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, Larsen’s Il Cannone cello strings (right) were engineered to emulate the famous violin’s explosive sound. All strings are available in both ‘direct and focused’ and ‘warm and broad’ versions, offering players a range of sound qualities to work with.

Also from Larsen were the Aurora cello strings, this time aimed at beginners. Available in full size and fractional sizes from 3/4 down to 1/16, the strings are made to provide a smoothly brilliant sound without metallic overtones.

Pirastro introduced two new cello strings in its Perpetual range – the A Soloist Strong and C Edition Strong. Thicker and stronger than previous iterations, they are designed for greater power and warmth without increasing tension or reducing overtones. Pirastro also released viola strings in the same Perpetual range. These were developed with the instrument’s uniquely deep and ‘chocolatey’ sound in mind and, as with all of the Perpetual range, they aim to offer a radiant sound and tuning stability.

In the world of violin strings there were several stand-outs. Now half a century old, Thomastik- Infeld’s Dominant strings were the first to use synthetic cores.

The new Dominant Pro violin strings build on this historic range by combining the principles of the old strings with cutting-edge materials, and are engineered to create a darker and more direct sound. After listening to players’ requests, Corelli released its Solea violin strings (left). Designed to offer a brilliant and clear sound, the strings are also engineered for better playability, a faster response and richer overtones. A unique addition to the Evah Pirazzi line, Pirastro presented a violin C string for five-string violins. It is intended to create a balanced sound with the other strings in the range.

LUTHERIE

Schilbach's new float file revived an ‘almost forgotten tool’. Used for making and repairing bow frogs, it is made from fine-grained tool steel that has been black gas-nitrided for durability. To complete its ‘Classic Retouching System’, Schilbach added a rose madder pigment to go alongside the set’s Prussian blue and orange madder. Also new from Schilbach was a multi-function square. With six functions and the ability to be locked at six different angles, it is designed to be a handy addition to the luthier’s tool set. Also designed for convenience, Triton’s plastic instrument size gauge can be used for violins from 1/32 to full size and violas from 12 to 17 inches. Its flexible design helps makers and dealers to check sizes quickly and efficiently.

International Violin’s double bass bridge holder helps secure the bridge when fitting, and is designed to be especially useful when installing height adjusters. Similarly, Herdim’s flexible crack clamp for violin and viola ensures stability when working on the instrument. Made of brass and lightweight aluminium, and with rubber jaws, it is designed to protect varnish and the wood’s surface and is available in four sizes.

Celebrating a renowned violin, luthier Jordan Hess and violinist Cristian Fatu collaborated to create the ‘Plowden’ Revealed download. It includes a set of 200 high-resolution photos of the 1735 ‘Plowden’

Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, and aims to improve both players’ and makers’ knowledge of the instrument.