Monica’s interpretation of one of the greatest violins of Carlo Bergonzi, the ‘Kreisler-Perlman’ of 1733-35.
Made for our dear friend Joel Fuller, former violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra and founding member of the Last Stand Quartet.
This special project violin from the 3 violin makers Monica Fortin, Melina Polizzi, and Meike Appeurle is a stunning copy of the renowned ‘Plowden’ violin made by Guarneri del Gesu.
These three fine makers have been making the occasional instrument together since 2017 and the result is always exceptional.
The 3M Plowden Copy is now owned and played by the Italian violinist Giovanni Dalla Vecchia.
This beautiful violin is an interpretation of a violin originally built by Andrea Guarneri. While it is a smaller pattern this violin has a warm sound with lots of focus and power.
A truly magnificent and unique instrument now played by Miyaka Suzuki Wilson of the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
This Guarneri model violin by Monica Fortin is based on the Vieuxtemps del Gesu played now by Anne Akiko Meyers.
It is strikingly easy to play with focus, depth, and the quality of an old violin.
An interesting violin made by the yearly workshop in Brandenburg an der Havel. Two violins were made by two teams of violinmakers. The model and wood was identical with one exception…one of the violins used traditionally aged wood and the other used a modern heat treatment. The violins were then varnished and antiqued the following year by the leaders of each of the teams.
The results of the analysis were published in The Strad, March 2026 Vol.137 No.1631 Pg.42.
It is clear that there is some difference, but both violins are powerful and are full of character.
One of the more attractive Gaetano Gadda violins I have come across. In a very good state of preservation with a repair to the button area on the back. This violin has an exceptional sound and a beautiful, transparent orange-brown varnish.
Certificate of authenticity by Eric Blot, Cremona.
