Berlin MIM and violin exposition

[Michael Appleman]

I was just in Berlin this weekend and I thought I'd put in a plug for the Musical Instrument Museum and the exhibition they're putting on about Berlin violin makers. It's a chance to see a bunch of violins by several makers one hears about west of the Rhine, but of whom one rarely gets to see an authentic or representative example.

 

I very much appreciated the permanent collection as well, (surprised by the dramatic, almost Del Gesu-ish corners on an Edlinger viola) and liked the way they organised the "German language sphere" violins into seperate glass cases for Allemanische, Saxon/Markneukirchen, Tyrol/Bavarian, and Viennese schools. 

 

P.S. Try to go when there isn't a demonstration of the Wurlitzer organ going on...

[Richf]

Thanks for that notice and quick review, Michael.  Wish I could just pop over to Germany for the weekend.  By any chance did you notice if there was a catalog with the exhibit?  I don't see anything on violins in their publications listing since 1975.

 

On the subject of museums, don't come to Washington DC any time soon.  I learned last week that the string collection in the Smithsonian will be closed for a couple years.  

 

Richard

[Michael Appleman]

I didn't see a full catalogue with pictures of the violins, but there is a free pamphlet with a full listing and photos of many of the violins' labels. I'll try to scan it and put it up here (when i find it;)