How did you become a luthier?
I started as a musician, which is not common in my craft. In 1996, I graduated from the Jerusalem Arts and Science Academy as a violinist and violist, but I soon realised that I wanted to focus on creating the actual instruments. So I moved to Cremona to learn from the Masters of this craft.
What is the added value of being a musician?
The main objective in my craft is creating the quality of sound that you want to achieve. As a musician, it’s easier for me to understand what my clients want in terms of sound. I don’t need any further intermediary.
©Yael Rosenblum
What does well-made mean to you?
The beauty of a violin lies in how it sounds. An expert eye can recognise the purely aesthetic beauty of an instrument, but all the work that we carry out – the shape that we give, the material that we use, the thickness that we choose – is first and foremost functional to produce the optimum sound.
What is the favourite part of your job?
I do really love all the manual parts of making instruments, including the humblest tasks like sharpening tools. I also like having the opportunity to meet the musicians, and exchanging views. Nevertheless, the most rewarding aspect is listening to the sound of my instruments on the stage.