About Geigenbau Masurat

Andrea Masurat introduces herself

As a master violin maker I am committed both to the traditional techniques of my craft and to innovative modern developments in the field of repairs and restoration. This applies equally to the construction of new violins, violas and celli.

I learnt the art of traditional violin making in Switzerland, in Mittenwald near Munich and in my father's workshop in Lübeck. My journeyman years were spent at Jean-Frederik Schmitt’s in Lyon, France, where I carried out repairs, mainly on high-quality instruments including Italian violins and celli by the great masters such as the Amati brothers, A. Stradivari and J.B. Guadagnini. Over the following years I continued to refine the knowledge I acquired there. Since 1996 I have had my own business in Lübeck.

 

Building new instruments is a regular part of my work. My violins are very agreeable to play and have a robust but warm tone – they are well ranked in competitions, especially for the quality of their sound.

Since 2008 I have trained apprentices in my workshop. It is a great pleasure for me to work in a team, to pass on my knowledge and to be part of a common creative process.

My current apprentice is Wiebke van der Wall – here is how she describes herself.

After completing my secondary schooling at the music grammar school in Schwerin and spending a gap year in Norway, I applied for an apprenticeship here in Andrea Masurat's workshop in 2008 and was lucky enough to be given a place.

I am mostly involved in building new instruments, but increasingly also with repairs and advising customers. The wide variety of the work is challenging and I take great pleasure and pride in doing it well. A real advantage is the permanent contact to customers and the opportunity to learn in a real working environment.

Andrea Masurat lets me put my ideas and everything I have learnt into practice right here in the workshop and helps me to continue developing them.

The friendly atmosphere means that I really look forward to coming to work and learning in the workshop every day.

Andrea Masurat spielt eine Geige ein
Wiebke van der Wal spielt ein Cello ein