Violin by Matthew Fenge, Ankara
This violin has now sold.
About Matthew Fenge
Matthew is a fantastic violin maker based in Ankara. He graduated from the violin making and restoration course at the Leeds College of Music and is particularly skilled at infusing his violins with character. Matthew is also in high demand as a restorer and has rescued a number of very fine violins from an early grave with great skill.
About the violin
This violin was made in 2016 and is an excellent copy of the 'Lord Wilton', a violin made in 1742 by Guarneri del Gesù. The Lord Wilton was a very well known instrument indeed as it was the main concert violin of Yehudi Menuhin. We think of del Gesù´s work as being a fusion of an adapted Amati outline and a more Brescian concept of arching: Matt has captured del Gesù´s unique approach brilliantly in this violin.
The violin has a two piece back of book-matched maple. The front is two piece of straight-grained spruce, the grain widening towards the flanks. The varnish is golden brown in colour and the length of back is 353 mm.
How does it sound?
As a result of the bold, Brescian arching, this violin sounds dark, raucous and utterly thrilling! This is a violin that just works incredibly well and would make a fantastic playing instrument for a confident, gutsy player.
Condition
The violin is in original mint condition.