*SOLD or NO LONGER AVAILABLE * Listing for archive purposes only. See violins tab for current inventory listings
We are excited to offer this very fine violin by one of the most renowned contemporary violin makers working today, one whom also holds the record for the highest public sale of a modern violin with the sale of the ex-Faust in 2021.
This magnificent violin is built on a late Guarneri del Gesu pattern and has a back length of 354mm. In typical “late Guarneri” fashion, the f-holes are asymmetrically cut and long with the bass f-hole being positioned slightly higher than the treble f-hole. Guarneri models are compact, yet powerful, partially due to flatter arching, higher ribs, and long f-holes.
This violin boasts all the hallmarks of del Gesu: a rich bottom end, an electric upper end, and enough resistance under the bow to play the most taxing repertoire. For players, having access to instruments by top makers like von Baehr, Zygmuntowicz, or Greiner is often challenging. These makers have long wait lists and the players or collectors that commission them seldom release them into the market. This is a rare opportunity for a player or collector to acquire an instrument by one of the leading makers today.
About Stephan:
Stephan von Baehr began his career in violin making in 1988 under Reinhard Bönsch in Germany, in whose workshop he became employed in 1990. In the same year, he began his apprenticeship in sculpture under Jochen Heinzmann, and was employed in 1993 by the Sabatier workshop in Paris to restore old instruments, refining his knowledge of style and expertise.
Since then, Stephan has won numerous prizes:
1995 - Attains Meisterbrief ("Master violin maker") diploma in Germany
1998 - Best placement in violin making at the Manchester International Competition, jury presided by Charles Beare, London. With this recognition granted by his fellow luthiers, Stephan decides to devote himself exclusively - with the generous support of the workshop Sabatier luthiers (Paris) - from this key moment on to instrument making.
1999 – International Violin Making Competition Etienne Vatelot, Paris: Gold and bronze medals
2000 - International Competition of the Violin Society of America, Cincinnati: 3 silver medals
2001 - Mittenwald International Violin Making Competition (Germany): title of best instrument with the most maturity and style
2003 - Purchase by the German Federal State
2004 - International Violin Making Competition of Portland, USA, silver medal for quartet of instruments and three special prizes for savoir-faire of each instrument
2012 - 20th International Competition and Exhibition, Violin Society of America, Cleveland, USA: Gold medal for Quartet
Stephan's instruments are appreciated by numerous musicians around the world, and are loaned from Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben's collection, as well as by the bank Societé Générale who gives financial support to young, talented musicians in France.
Stephan is also a member of Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art de France and the Verband deutscher Geigenbauer und Bogenmacher e.V.