Michael Purcell

It is always a pleasure to look over this beautiful viola now played by Roberto Diaz. He is so sensitive to small openings and minor changes in the sound that you really need to search very intensely for tiny openings or any thing else that could use attention. This viola was at Moennig’s for many years before Roberto acquired it so it was something that you could really study and get to know. It is a fascinating example of the Brothers Amati which(like most older violas) has been cut down to fit more modern playing ideas. To hear Roberto play it and to adjust the soundpost with is quite an experience – both player and instrument are about as highly evolved as one could hope for – the combination of the two in a small space is transporting

These works are the lesser instruments coming out of the famed Mirecourt shop of Jerome Thibouville-Lamy. They are made with mostly plain maple,have incised rather than inlaid purfling and have a rugged quality to their workmanship. However they offer a robust sound and a complexity that is hard to beat at this modest price level. They also afford the great patina and  character of a genuine antique violin. This example has the characteristic deep red varnish.  I have gone over this violin thoroughly both inside and out to bring it up to its highest level.

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CJ’s great,early Italian viola with its robust arching, beautiful inlaid work and powerful F holes is always a treat to have on your bench. The sound of this instrument has matured so dramatically in the time he has owned it. No doubt that some of this effect stems from all the work we did on it at Moennig’s, but also his strong playing has really opened it up. Its a completely different viola from the one that was once owned by a member of a Canadian symphony. C J has an uncanny knack for knowing when his instrument is open and senses right away that he is losing power (exactly like the previous principal Roberto Diaz).

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A big,beautiful William Moennig Jr. viola dating from 1943. Made originally for Samuel Lifschey,principal violist of the  Philadelphia Orchestra, it is now now in the hands of a talented young player who brings out all its color and resonance. Although not easy to play physically it produces a depth in the lower register that,once you get used to, you can’t live without.

An interesting autographed photo of William Moennig Jr accompanies the photos of the viola. It is a photo taken on Dec 17th 1955 backstage at the Academy of Music after a performance by the famed violinist David Oistrakh.  In the photograph Mr Oistrakh is shown in the mirror of his dressing room signing autographs,whlie Bill Jr in the foreground holds up the Strad he used for both the concert and in his recording of the Brahms violin concerto. In the mirror are also some burly men that were part of a KGB detail that followed Mr Oistrakh around the states to keep him from defecting during that tense Cold War time. Mr Oistrakh’s  words translate to: “To an oustanding violin maker and an excellent gentleman,William Moennig- with respect and best wishes, David Oistrakh.”

This beautiful Nicolo Gagliano is played by the concertmaster of the Little Rock Symphony. Nicolo, son of Alessandro, is the greatest maker of the Neapolitan school and this violin displays his art in all its power.It has the broad model, upright F-holes, great wood and stunning varnish that typify this maker. The scroll is very distinctive with its small head and wide ears that are characteristic of the Neopolitan school. The violin is slightly short with a short stop length but it makes up for it with strong, full arching and broad design. Drew is very fussy about this vioin and its with me now for gluings, cleaning and varnish restoration along with a new bridge. Always a great fiddle to have on your bench

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This wonderful violin made by Lorenzo Storioni is played by the Concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic. It has great  rugged charm and all the beauty of 18th century Cremona violinmaking. Storioni doesn’t possess the elegant wood and refined workmanship of his predecessors like Stradivari and Guarneri but he accomplishes quite a lot with what he has. This instrument has bold F-holes,a daring scroll and  pretty varnish over wood with loads of character. This instrument gets  frequent attention given its busy orchestra and soloist schedule and the high standard that it must meet in all kinds of climates.Careful attention to the photo of the scroll will show that the pegbox is not original. There is a faint seam just beyond the pegbox that shows where the original scroll ends and the repair starts