‘Creating new instruments that tune the rich legacy of the past to the needs of today’s musicians, reconciling tradition and science, craft and arts, history and personality.’ — Thomas Meuwissen
— Igor Oistrakh · violinist ‘Besides playing on my old Italian violin, I am also playing often on my wonderful Meuwissen violin which has a beautiful, flexible sound, a deep G-string and a brilliant E-string.
My colleagues and audiences highly appreciate the instrument. I have seen and tried several of his violins, which were all made with real mastery and have a full, nice, round sound.’
Fascinated by sculpture and architecture, Thomas Meuwissen initially took an art course, where his love of materials and craftsmanship gradually took shape. He was trained as violin maker at the Newark School of Violin Making and perfected his skills in the workshops of Premysl Špidlen in Prague and Frédéric Chaudière in Montpellier. Since 1987 Thomas has been working exclusively on the production of high quality modern and baroque violins, violas and cellos. His work includes antiqued copies of instruments by old Italian masters. His many years of experience as a violin maker enable him to make effective adjustments to the sound of clients’ instruments. He considers sound paramount in the whole manufacturing process. Wood is selected carefully for its individual acoustic and static properties. His study of the effect of different models, arching and even varnish on the sound, allows him to create instruments that meet the musician’s requirements in every respect. The result is an evenness of tone, ease of response, and a direct and focused sound. His instruments have a rich tonal
quality and colour that enable the musician to express himself and communicate his ‘music’. They possess an open sonority, rich harmonics and considerable power so that solists will effortlessly stand out against orchestral playing. What is more, it brings with it a valuable sound potential that will develop even more over the years as a result of the musician’s playing. Over the years, Thomas Meuwissen has built up an international clientele and his instruments are played by soloists, including Igor Oistrakh, Vadim Repin and Maria Kliegel. His instruments are held in several private and public collections: Royal Conservatory Brussels (Belgium), Beckett Collection (UK), Muziekinstrumentenfonds (Netherlands), Dextra Musica (Norway). Thomas Meuwissen has won awards at various international violin making competitions: t Concours de lutherie et d’archèterie de Paris (Bronze, 1999) t Concorso Antonio Stradivarius, Cremona (Distinction, 2002) t British Violin Making Association Competition, London (Honorary mention, 2004) t Violin Society of America Competition (Certificate of Merit for workmanship, 2004) t Internationaler Geigenbauwettbewerb Mittenwald (Silver, 2005) t Strad Cello and Bow Making Competition, Manchester (Silver, 2007) t Violin Society of America Competition (Certificate of Merit for sound, 2008) He was elected to the ‘Entente Internationale des Maîtres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art’.
— Vadim Repin · violinist ‘I have known Thomas and his violins for some years now. His talent and dedication to violin making is very impressive. The violin he made for me has a very full, warm and juicy sound, and definitely its own personality. Bravo!’ Violin, copy of the ‘Von Szerdahely del Gesù · 1736’, made for Vadim Repin
— Maria Kliegel · cellist
Professor at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne
‘I have seen several cellos built by Thomas Meuwissen from different years. Just like the Meuwissen cello I play, they all show superb individual quality. Excellent craftsmanship, beauty of shape and varnish as well as a flexible sound, convince completely. The instruments respond easily to the player, the dynamic ranges are wide. The sound is full-bodied, projects and carries in a concert hall. If the player has musical fantasy and technical ability, he will find all the colours he wants to produce.’
Cello, copy of Matteo Goffriller, ca. 1710
— Valentin Erben · cellist
Alban Berg Quartett
‘Today there is an important group of violin makers whose instruments offer a real alternative for those of the great masters of the classical period. Thomas Meuwissen is in my opinion a valuable representative of this generation. He posses a great knowledge and empathic power, artistic craftsmanship and a confident instinct for the material. While playing his cellos I was convinced of the happy matching of power, elegance and playability as well as the beauty of the sound. I recommend all my colleagues who are interested in new instruments, to get in touch with this remarkable violin maker.’
— Sigiswald Kuijken · baroque violinist
La Petite Bande
‘I have always been struck by Thomas’ drive, his love and passion for the trade, his great professional approach. Over the years he has developed his undeniable talent meticulously and with care. His work carries the traces of this mental approach and his strong personal involvement. Excellent craftsmanship … Captivating!’
Viola, personal model in Cremonese style
— Harro Ruijsenaars · cellist
ex first solo cello Concertgebouw Orchestra Professor in the Hague and Göteborg
‘I don’t hesitate to call him one of the major talents in violin making of our time. The wonderful cello he built for me bears witness to his unique gift to combine the great heritage of the old Venetian master with the skills of today, all this resulting in an instrument that shows its quality in sonority as well as design. I will follow his development with keen interest!’
Viola, detail of a copy of Andrea Guarneri, ca. 1670
Viola, detail of a copy of Andrea Guarneri, ca. 1670
— Diederik Suys · violist
Soloist of the Orchestra of the Opéra National de Paris
‘My Meuwissen viola offers me all I need for my work as a soloist in the orchestra and for chamber music. In this instrument I have found the ideal partner to fully explore my musical expression. It confirms my belief that new making can be as rewarding as the work of the old (Italian) masters.’
Violin, details of a copy of the ‘Von Szerdahely del Gesù · 1736’, made for Vadim Repin.