Moinel-Cherpitel | Violin No. 9: French master violin by Charles Moinel

Kept in perfect condition, master violin No. 9 by Moinel-Cherpitel illustrates the harmonious collaboration between two extremely gifted outstanding luthiers in the final years of the 19th century – a masterpiece of modern French violin making, created for professional and soloist performance.

1899, the year in which Charles Moinel completed the violin presented here, was a key date in the history of Moinel’s workshop as well as his personal biography. Seventeen years prior to that time, he had joined the workshop of Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel as a young master, and in 1893, after Cherpitel’s early death, Charles Moinel carried on his mentor’s business for the benefit of his widow before taking it over completely in 1899 and subsequently placing his name next to Cherpitel’s. Despite the fact that his violin Opus 9 indicates that the output of his work could still be counted in single digits, it is nevertheless the product of a comprehensively trained and experienced master at the zenith of his creative abilities. At the same time, this violin also serves as a mile marker in a family tradition of violin making which stretches from Charles’ son Daniel Moinel into the 1970s and is perpetuated to this day at Bernard Sabatier’s workshop. The many merits of this expressive instrument can be seen at first glance: the unusually lovely broad flames of the two-piece maple back and the scroll carved masterfully down to the finest detail with elegantly blackened edges are an impressive testament to the ultimate in the art of making fine violins. The dated original label and hand-written number on the inside of the back both confirm the authenticity of this professional violin, which features a full and carrying voice with a radiant and mature sound ideal for soloist performance by professional musicians. Now that it has been meticulously set up at our workshop, it is ready to play, and the violin qualifies for both our trade-in programme and an optional certificate confirming its provenance. Includes Corilon's trade-guarantee and an optional certificate.