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Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov

Apostol & Ivan Kaloferov

  • Luthier
  • Bankya, Bulgaria
  • Master Artisan
Apostol & Ivan Kaloferov Luthier
Contact
Bulgarian, English, French, Italian
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+359 888508051
Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov

The music maker

  • • Apostol and Ivan create and restore violins
  • • Their instruments stand out for their artistic features
  • • They believe that the power of music lives through eternity

The tradition of violin making is in the genes of the Kaloferov family. At the beginning of the 20th century, their ancestor Ivan Kaloferov established the Bulgarian school of violin making. Today, his descendants Apostol Kaloferov and his son Ivan create instruments in Bulgaria for musicians all over the world. Apostol Kaloferov specialised as a luthier in France after gaining a woodcarving diploma. He carried on his father's legacy by winning awards at important international competitions, gaining international recognition for his family name. Ivan, the youngest luthier of the Kaloferov family, now in his 40s says: “I'm proud to have been born into a family with traditions and to have been able to study at the Antonio Stradivari Institute in Cremona, Italy”.

Read the full interview

Works

  • Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
  • Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
  • Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Photo: Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Violin - Guarneri del Gesu model

This violin, built by Apostol Kaloferov, is a replica of the 1734 Guarneri del Gesu “Spagnoletti”. The size has been increased a bit and the back is still made from one piece with a deeper flame. The violin is part of a series of three instruments made for an exhibition and a concert in the Guildhall, London in 1994.

Length 35.5 cm

Photo: Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Violin - Stradivari model

Like his grandfather before him, Apostol Kaloferov continues to research the work of Stradivari by replictaing his violin models, keeping the same lines and shapes of the famed maestro. The top of this replica is made from spruce wood and the back from sycamore. The wood was sourced from mountains in Bulgaria.

Length 35.6 cm

Photo: Ivo Hadjimishev©Victor Troyanov
Violin - Stradivari model

This cello is a replica of a Stradivari instrument, entitled "Piatti". The drawings for the design of the cello were given to Apostol Kaloferov's grandfather by Gioacchino Pascolini. Gioacchino Pascolini was an Italian violinist, acoustic expert and collector of musical instruments from the early 20th century.

Length 75.8 cm

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