Fine Markneukirchen master violin by Theodor Berger, 1957

Theodor Berger, violin maker (1897 St. Petersburg - 1974 Markneukirchen)

This master violin by Theodor Berger is an outstanding soloist instrument and an exceptional achievement in contemporary Saxonian violin making – at the hand of a master who was one of the best of his era and whose powerful personal style shaped this 1957 violin.

In the 40th year of his Markneukirchen workshop, Theodor Berger crafted this violin, a remarkable masterpiece which holds a noteworthy place in his internationally esteemed oeuvre. Born in 1897 in St. Petersburg, Theodor Berger learned his craft between 1901 and 1918 in highly regarded workshops, including that of Julius Heberlein in Markneukirchen and Ernst Geisser, the widely decorated mentor of violin making in pre-revolutionary Russia back in his hometown. After very successfully establishing himself in the period between the wars, Theodor Berger was able to continue his promising career almost seamlessly after WWII as well – as a guild master, honorary guild master and a respected figure in classic Vogtland violin making until his death in 1974. This violin reflects the mature and self-confident art of his most successful period, and its expressive model patterned after Stradivari casts Berger’s personal style in its finest light. The one-piece back of deeply flamed maple and the even grain of the spruce top are a testament to Theodor Berger’s profound aesthetic sensitivity, which he developed in part during his work on Ernst Geisser‘s collection of exquisite historic stringed instruments. Its inimitable, golden-brown oil varnish not only gives this German master violin the perfect finishing touch but complements its excellent acoustic properties – a perfect partner for demanding soloist interpretations with its bright character full of timbre and its resonant voice. This is a rare top-tier violin whose quality and authenticity are confirmed by the master’s original label and brand mark, and it qualifies for our trade-in guarantee.