Viola by Christopher Rowe, Isle of Wight, 2005
About Christopher Rowe
Christopher Rowe is a contemporary luthier who trained at Newark and then worked for the Withers shop before setting up a workshop with his wife Elspeth, who is also a Newark trained luthier. He has made over 450 instruments during the course of his career, has a viola on permanent exhibition in the Museo del Violino, Cremona and won a gold medal for his viola at Cremona in 1997.
About the viola
Rowe bases all of his violas on a Brothers Amati model. When the Brothers Amati were making their instruments, violas as we know them today didn´t exist: instead there were smaller altos and larger tenors. At 15 inches, this viola is very much based on an alto.
The viola has a one piece back of medium-flamed maple, the figuration descending from right to left. The front is two pieces of fairly narrow-grained spruce which widens towards the flanks. The varnish is a vibrant red colour, laid over a golden ground.
The viola was made in 2005 and has a length of back of 15 inches.
How does it sound?
The instrument has a full contralto tone. It is extremely responsive and is easy to play due to its manageable stature.
Condition
The viola is in excellent original condition.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this contemporary viola by Christopher Rowe for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.