The Art of Making Violins

The art of performing a Bach violin suite or a Beethoven sonata doesn't begin in the practice room -- but in the violin maker's workshop.

Some of the world's most promising young violin makers go to Mittenwald, nestled in the lush foothills at the southernmost tip of Bavaria, to learn the secrets of fashioning the musician's greatest asset -- the instrument itself.

Mittenwald, now a village with around 8,000 residents, has a long tradition of musical handcrafts. The great violin maker Matthias Klotz (1653-1743) began practicing his trade there in the late 17th century, bringing prosperity and esteem to the region. Visitors to Mittenwald will find a statue on the town's market square commemorating the renowned instrument builder.

Hanging on to tradition

In the 19th century, competition between violin makers became increasingly tough due to the use of new mass production methods. To preserve the tradition and art of entirely handmade instruments, Bavarian Elector Maximilian I commissioned a school for young violin makers in 1858.

The Mittenwald school for violin making, located in the same building since 1893, still trains the next generation of artisans.

At any given time, between 80 and 100 protégés attend the school, which offers a particularly rigorous seven-semester curriculum that includes each step of the building process.

Around 40 students study violin building, while the others learn to make plucked string instruments (like guitars and mandolins), bows, wind instruments or brass instruments.

All of the school's graduates find jobs in their chosen trade, said a school representative. Many open private instrument-making studios, while others may choose to work in museums, restoring old instruments.

Visitors can learn more

Though tours of the school and the workshops aren't officially offered, the school said it would gladly show around student groups, musicians and even tourists who call ahead of time.

For those interested in more detailed information about violin making and the history of the craft in the Mittenwald region, the village offers a museum with exhibits on the building process, Matthias Klotz and the significance of violin making in Mittenwald over the past few centuries.

Mittenwald's Museum of Violin Making is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in the peak season, and 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the off season.