Violin Making Competition 2027

Violin makers from around the world are invited to engage with this exceptional instrument and build a new violin as a facsimile referencing the “Sainton”.

What such a facsimile can be is deliberately left open. The starting point may be the instrument’s presumed original form, its present state of preservation with deformations and wear, or an approach to the making process itself – to working techniques, decisions, gesture and spontaneity as they may have been characteristic of del Gesù.

The competition thus creates space for different violin-making approaches and for a shared reflection on what the facsimile of a historical violin can be from a contemporary perspective.

A unique reference dossier

All participants receive the same technological documentation of the ‘Sainton’: synchrotron microtomography at unprecedented resolution, derived sections, 3D visualisations and measurements, high-resolution macro- and microphotographs, as well as selected material analysis findings on the wood and varnish.

This reference dossier provides the common basis for producing the individual facsimiles.

The documentation is prepared by curator Balthazar Soulier (Atelier Cels) in collaboration with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble and made available to admitted participants after registration, admission and payment of the participation fee.

Two perspectives – Making and Sound

The submitted instruments are assessed in two independent evaluations: Making and Sound. Two expert juries bring different, complementary perspectives to the newly created instruments.

Making Jury 2027

Peter Biddulph, expert, Great Britain
Michael A. Baumgartner, violin maker and Guarneri researcher, Switzerland
Philip Ihle, violin maker, London

Sound Jury 2027

Bomsori Kim
Arabella Steinbacher
Lawrence Power

The Sound Jury consists of soloists from the festival. They play and assess the submitted violins. The juries may be supplemented by additional members.

Registration

Awards

In both evaluations, a first, second and third prize, as well as selected special prizes, will be awarded.

The prize-winning instruments will be played publicly by soloists from the festival and featured in the communications of the Klosters Music Violin Summit and its media partners.

Special Prize of the Walter Fischli Foundation

As a special recognition, the Walter Fischli Foundation will purchase one of the submitted violins. The instrument is to be kept alongside the “Sainton” and made available to talented musicians as a loan instrument.