Professional violin by Paul Kochendörfer, Stuttgart 1940

This fine German violin by Paul Kochendörfer is a mature piece by a highly regarded master luthier from Stuttgart, and it is a testimony to his multi-facetted talents and self-assured command of his artisanry.

At the age of 60, Paul Kochendörfer created this master violin with its self-confident interpretation of the Antonio Stradivari’s classic historic it alien violin model, and its large sound and stylish aesthetic are a marvellous exemplar of the excellent work this luthier from Stuttgart produced. Paul’s brother Friedrich Kochendörfer created a lasting legacy as the director of the violin making school in Mittenwald, which may be why Paul is not as well-established a name in the music world as his sibling. Yet this professional violin, which still features its original label, is clear evidence of Paul’s talent and mature artisanry in this field as well. Its transparent orange-brown varnish highlights the magnificent choice of top-quality tone woods and emphasises the very even lines of the fine to moderate grain in the spruce top as well as the dynamic flames of the two-piece maple back. Perfectly applied purfling and a deeply carved scroll which expresses aesthetic harmony are further examples of the meticulousness Kochendörfer showed in creating the outstanding sound of this violin, which has been kept in premium condition, free of cracks and with only a minimal repair to the peg box. With its powerful voice full of mature character, the violin has a sound which satisfies the highest musical standards and even in the highest registers, it features a radiance that is quite rare.