Fresh Adventures: Making violins baroque style
Baroque violin by Dorian Barnes, copying master luthier Carlo Antonio Testore
One of the perks of being the fresh adventurer is that I get to talk to Houston’s most creative personalities. Sometimes, our conversations lead me to discover things, in this case, the work of Dorian Barnes.
I bet most people would not associate Houston as a city that hosts a prominent violin maker, more so if they were told some were copies of 18th century luthier Carlo Antonio Testore.
Testore’s instruments were known for having excellent sound regardless of their somewhat rough appearance. Barnes affectionately calls them the “drunken masters.”
Like any project that involves natural resources, there is a little unknown factors and luck, which can make the process stressful.
In the midst of a large commission from Mercury Baroque where Dorian is in the process of building their whole arsenal of instruments, this fresh adventure is all finding out what it takes to make a violin.
Sounds like a great venture! And hope we can add to your great artistic endeavor. Good Luck.
The Ronald Halls
It’s a very unique venture. I am sure the folks at Mercury Baroque would appreciate any support.