Gerhart Hetzel, what instrument did he perform on?

[vlyosifov]

Does anybody know what kind of violin was using the legendary Vienna Philharmonic first concertmaster (1972-1992) Gerhart Hetzel?

 

[Bownut]

Hi, A student of his might know: I know someone who studied with him in the 80ties and will ask next time I see her. It is also possible he had more than one violin to work with and I presume the Vienna Phil owns many fine instruments. The viennese luthier (J.?)Rombach had violins played by members of the VPO and the one in the picture above looks, from here, similar to what I remember of his instruments. Bownut

[crazy jane]

He played a Strad from 1709 https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/bartók-violin-concertos

[Bownut]

I have no doubt that the recording was made on a Strad, possibly his " Dienstgeige" ( Orchestra-service violin) but the violin pictured above does not, to my eyes, seem to be a Strad. 

[vlyosifov]

On 1/7/2024 at 9:34 AM, Bownut said:

I have no doubt that the recording was made on a Strad, possibly his " Dienstgeige" ( Orchestra-service violin) but the violin pictured above does not, to my eyes, seem to be a Strad. 

This is precisely what I thought.. I have seen this very modern looking violin in more recordings of Vienna Philharmonic.

[Borishinsky]

Hetzel played a violin made by Ferdinand Kugler. He loved that red varnish. 

[Borishinsky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYfpWWPGLq4

[Stephen Fine]

On 1/9/2024 at 5:04 PM, vlyosifov said:

This is precisely what I thought.. I have seen this very modern looking violin in more recordings of Vienna Philharmonic.

Your question is answered below... took a few years.

20 hours ago, Borishinsky said:

Hetzel played a violin made by Ferdinand Kugler. He loved that red varnish. 

One of the things I like about Maestronet is the tendency for old questions to eventually get answered.  vlyosifov hasn't been online in half a year, but maybe will return for this answer.

[Shelbow]

On 6/14/2025 at 1:54 PM, Stephen Fine said:

Your question is answered below... took a few years.

One of the things I like about Maestronet is the tendency for old questions to eventually get answered.  vlyosifov hasn't been online in half a year, but maybe will return for this answer.

Agreed, I especially like it when family members are looking for info about instruments their relatives have made. Sometimes we get responses 10 years later, but it's a great resource.