Baroque Violin, Germany, c. 1870
This violin has now sold.
About the Klotz family
The Klotz family and the history of Mittenwald are closely intertwined. The story of Mittenwald as a centre of violin making begins when Matthias Klotz, a violin maker who trained in either Fussen or Vlis and then in Padua, set up his workshop in the Bavarian town in the 1680s. The town grew as others joined him there and subsequent members of the Klotz family joined the trade.
It is thought that Matthias Klotz may perhaps have studied with Jacob Stainer himself: certainly the instruments of the Klotz school generally have the broad outline of the Stainer model, as well as fairly high arching.
About the violin
This violin was made in Markneukirchen, another of the German violin making centres, around 1870 and is modelled after the instruments of the Klotz family.
The violin is in full Baroque set up: this means that the neck is shorter and grows deeper towards the body and the bass bar, bridge and fittings are all authentic to the period. The violin has gut strings and would make an excellent instrument for someone who is looking for an affordable instrument with which to explore Baroque repertoire. Our apologies for the unravelling string in this picture: a photo with a new E string will follow!
The violin has a two piece back of book-matched maple and a two piece front of relatively wide-grained spruce which broadens towards the flanks. The varnish is golden-brown in colour, laid over a lighter ground. The violin has the relatively high arching and generous outline of the Klotz family´s take on Stainer.
The violin has a length of back of 364 mm.
How does it sound?
The violin is resonant, rich and quick to respond. The higher arching and Baroque set up means that this is an instrument without the enormous power of a more contemporary instrument, however, the sound is full of colour and nuance. This is the ideal first Baroque instrument for a modern player as it is very forgiving: often instruments in Baroque set up have a tendency towards the sound spoiling if player with too much vigour, but this violin is robust and can withstand a little more force!
Condition
The violin is in good condition.