Contemporary master violin, Jean Strick, Bruxelles 1999

A rare contemporary master instrument with a reputation that will endure, this violin was crafted by the Belgian luthier Jean Strick. Its warm and clear yet sweet and dark voice will satisfy the highest musical demands. The rich light-brown oil varnish has antiquing that reflects a refined sense for historical varnishes, and the small, expressive carving of the scroll also serves as a successful indication of the master's confident and artisanal experience. Moderately grained spruce and deeply flamed maple are premium quality tone woods which confirm the musical quality of this very well-played violin that was patterned after an instrument by Gagliano. Jean Strick, who underwent his training in Mirecourt and Angers, is a proponent of the traditions of French violin making. In 1976 he moved to Liège to work in the atelier of Jacques Bernard, where the craftsman heritage of Jacques' father André Bernard was being upheld. André Bernard was a multitalented master who did not enjoy the recognition he deserved and a luthier who became a friend of the great Eugène Nicolas Sartory during his training at Gand & Bernardel. In the late 1970s, Jacques Bernard continued to manage Bernard's atelier together with his adopted son Mario Bernard-Budanko, a student of André Morizot; in 1986 Jean Strick and the bow maker Pierre Guillaume took over the atelier, and on the counsel of Jacques Bernard, they relocated to Brussels. Today his clientele consists almost exclusively of professional musicians, including world-renowned soloists such as Misha Maisky and Michael Guttman. As a restorer, appraiser and luthier commissioned by the international Queen Elisabeth Competition, Jean Strick is an artist who prefers to work behind the scenes. Consequently, this violin may be regarded as a true modern rarity, and we warmly recommend it because of its exceptionally mature sound which is beautifully balanced and has a sweet note in the upper registers. Its provenance is verified by Jean Strick's original label and several brand marks inside the body.

 

 

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