David Christian Hopf, Jun., Vogtland violin, c. 1819

With its distinctive aesthetic and its magnificent tonal properties, this historic master violin serves as an example of the zenith that this classic violin model from the Vogtland region achieved in the family-run workshop of David Christian Hopf, Sen. and David Christian Hopf jun. Crafted in 1819 in Klingenthal, as is indicated on the poorly-legible original handwritten label, this violin belongs to the oeuvre of David Christian Hopf, Jun., a figure whose relevance was long neglected by music scholars and whose history still offers interesting discoveries. The elegance of the low ribs and the striking style of the scroll carved with a self-assured hand both give this classic Hopf model and its unmistakable geometry an appealing personal note. Its characteristic confidently-shaped sound holes, which are considered to have a typical shape for a David Hopf, Jun. instrument, and the delicate purfling confirm the flawless artisanal quality of this instrument. He demonstrated his significant experience and great sensitivity in selecting the finest tone woods whose splendour is evident not only because of the beautiful bright transparent varnish: he adeptly accentuated the dynamic lines and the occasional irregularities in the finely to moderately grained spruce of the top as well as the delicate flames of the one-piece back. Our luthiers painstakingly set up this 200-year-old character of an instrument which is very good condition and ready to play; a few minor restorations, which are to be expected of a violin of such an advanced age, were made to the top and have no effect on its sound. Its mature warm voice convincingly demonstrates why David Hopf violins ranked amongst the most sought-after instruments of European violin making for so long and are inextricably linked to the German music tradition of the Baroque and Classical periods. With its carrying resonance and its distinctive wealth of timbres, it offers contemporary musicians a broad range of delightful interpretive opportunities.