Fine contemporary master violin, Christoph Götting "Sleeping Beauty"

When we speak of rarities in the world of fine stringed instruments, we usually associate the term with historic masterpieces, particularly those of the classic historic Italian period. Contemporary violin makers, however, also understand the special combination of artisanry, aesthetics and sound that constitutes a rarity – and the instruments made by Christoph Götting are a prime example of what it means to fulfil these standards. The four violins he is currently making at his workshop in Dotzenheim have long since been sold; it is not easy to obtain an instrument from this highly regarded contemporary master. The first two "Götting violins" we had the honour of including in our catalogue at Corilon spent only a few weeks with us in Munich before it was sold, but now it has found a worthy successor. This third our most recent Götting violin is yet another perfect expression of his faithful approach to following the finest traditions of his guild, an art which he skilfully blends with the fruits of his labour decades of studying instruments whilst working as a restorer at Beare's. The famous “Sleeping Beauty” Stradivari currently played by Isabell Faust was the inspiration for this outstanding instrument, and Christoph Götting’s interpretation features a radiant singing sound which will satisfy the highest demands in terms of solo performance. With the the striking curves and the wonderful vibrant corners of the 1704 template in mind, he crafted a truly inimitable instrument of its own with a unique varnish, an expressive Götting piece defined by flawless beauty and a mature aesthetic. The dynamic grain of the deeply flamed premium-quality maple creates compelling accents at the ribs and the finely crafted scroll. As was the case with the first Götting violin we had, this young instrument was also made in 2012, a period in which Christoph Götting was still working at his English atelier. The time it takes to produce a good stringed instrument can be regarded as a significant measure of its quality; this violin can be seen as a modern rarity with an exceptional voice full of character.