David Bromberg Fine Violins, LLC
June 21st, 2009David Bromberg Fine Violins, LLC
601 N. Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
P: 302.472.6700
F: 302.472.0558
Press Release for Immediate Release – 2009 French Roadshow Tour
Classic, traditional, baroque, experimental. Apply these words to French string instruments and their bows and you have a rare collection which will be on exhibit in the United States during September and October, 2009.
Sponsored by the French Embassy and UbiFrance, the exhibit features the work of some of the best luthiers in the country. Over twenty makers will be sending instruments and bows that range from a Castagreri ‘cello dating from the 18th century, to contemporary Baroque violins and bows, classic/contemporary instruments and bows, to neolins and triolas.
Five years ago the French government began setting up meetings between American violin shops with French makers. The meetings were designed to open up connections/communications between the shops and small businesses (i.e. makers working in small shops with small productions). Organizing groups included regional Chambres de Metier of de l’Artisanat, French Embassy in the United States and Ubifrance (missions artisanat).
For one week American violin shop owners visited Annecy, Toulouse and Le Mans and met with over sixty makers, looking at instruments and bows, and discussing future business relationships. In addition to the meetings, Americans were treated to fine dining, wine, champagne and introductions to many dignitaries of each region. Two years later, another French-American tour took place and in June 2008 a third one was held in Avignon, France.
“The meetings give us an opportunity to meet some very gifted makers. We applaud Ubifrance for their work on behalf of their luthiers,” said Robert Ray of R.L.Ray Violins in Olympia, WA.
During the Avignon meeting, a discussion began of a possible exhibit which would take both luthiers and a collection of instruments and bows, celebrating the past, present and future of French luthier to the United States.
Although sponsorship was made difficult by an increasing downturn in the economy, Ubifrance and the Chamber of Commerce in Avignon were excited about the exhibit and approved the project. Dixie Huthmaker of Huthmaker Violins, who had participated in all three French/American Meetings, worked with the French Embassy in New York, San Francisco and Atlanta to create a list of makers and to schedule the exhibit.
La Fete des Violins will be held in September and October, 2009 in three cities in the United States.
This is the first exhibit of its kind and one of the unique features is the collection of bows. The tradition of bow making in France has a rich history of some of the finest makers such as Sartory, Lamy, Piccatte and Fetique. Contemporary traditional and baroque bows for violins, violas, ‘celli and string basses will be displayed along with historic bows.
Three makers will be in residence at each exhibit along with an attaché from the French Embassy.
Some of the makers participating in the exhibit are: David Ayache (Montpellier), Marcello Zerrili (Aubagne), Benoit Charon (St. Louis), Benjamin Beugnies (St. Chamas), Phillipe Tallis (Nice), Solange Chivas (Bedoin), Eric Lourme (Le Havre), Charles Hommel (Marseille), and Nicolas Demaris (Grenoble).
Three violin shops will host the exhibit: Huthmaker Violins (Atlanta), David Bromberg Fine Violin (Wilmington, DE) and Johnson String Instruments (Boston).
For a schedule of special events, exhibit hours and a list of makers and their instruments/bows, please contact each shop or visit their websites.
Sept 11-20, 2009 Huthmaker Violins, Atlanta
Sept.25-Oct. 4, 2009 David Bromberg Fine Violins, Wilmington, DE
www.davidbrombergfineviolins.com
Oct. 9-18, 2009 Johnson String Instruments, Boston
French Embassy attaché:
[email protected] Atlanta
[email protected] San Francisco
About David Bromberg Fine Violins
David Bromberg Fine Violins is located at 601 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware. We specialize in appraisals, sales & acquisitions with an emphasis on customized customer care. Our shop features three specialty artisans whose primary focus is on creation, restoration and repair of violins, violas, cellos & bows.
Mr. Bromberg has spent the past 20 years assembling a beautiful collection of violins, violas, cellos and bows with an emphasis on French bows. He is known throughout the world as a premier collector, broker and appraiser of the bow and violin family of instruments. Mr. Bromberg is considered to be the foremost expert on American Violins.
David Bromberg Fine Violins is open Tuesday – Sunday during the hours of 10am –5pm. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us at: 302.472.6700 or we can be reached by email at [email protected]
Contact
Michelle Brumbaugh
David Bromberg Fine Violins
601 N. Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
P: 302.472.6700
F: 302.472.0558
Email: [email protected]
