Wow imagine being able to learn something you're really passionate about without coming out with tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt. 🙃 What an incredible experience for these people!
Thank you for showing us the video, Mr. Olaf, much appreciated! It was very informative. The interviews were fine to me - I don’t see any problem with it. It was a good conversational interview like a talk show. Keep up the good work!
Great video! I enjoyed watching your visit at the Cremona Violin making school. Very interesting and how amazing the school provides this education for free. Amazing!
It's a (continental) European thing. We like to invest into the next generation by providing good education for free or at least comparatively reasonable prices. Yes, also for foreigners. The hope is that some of them stay in Europe and pay taxes later on. Most continental European countries have completely free schools up to high school (in some countries you even get all the school books for free). Very cheap university fees (you usually only pay for access to some services, no actual tuition, teachers are paid by the government). For vocational schools it depends on whether the school is government funded or private, but for most professions you can find a public school that is good, (almost) free and has a good reputation. Of course you have to pay another price: except for some limited international university courses all European schools teach in the local language.
I'm from Cremona, I'be always been fascinated in this art but could never actually pursuit it. Now I want to graduate University and go back to my hometown to finally study violin making
Good video. Last I knew, the VMSA (Violin Making School of America) in Salt Lake City, UT (America), cost about $12,000 each year for three years. A lot of money, but less than college. There are two other violin making schools in America, one in Chicago and one in Boston.
@@elissahunt if you learn italian, then apply for a student visa, get a job there in cremona (school could have a counsellor etc to help, write to them beforehand) and off you go. However appears you put up your own blocks etc which ensures you won't accomplish your goals.
@@sadhbhdelahunt I have no goal to be a luthier, thank you. I just enjoy Olaf's videos. The point of my comment was that even with free tuition, going to the school would not be "free" and one would need to plan for that. I never said it couldn't be done.
What a cool video! I’m currently learning Violin Making in Mittenwald (in my 3rd year). Definitely recommend the schools to everyone who wants to learn since it’s a save space where you only focus on your own progress
Hi, I'm a beginner in learning German and I plan to apply to the violin making school in Mittenwald next year. I learn your message here, and would like to ask you regarding school applications, and your contact if possible. Very appreciate.
It is hard for me to believe that 2000 was over 20 years ago now. I bet that was a wonderful experience being there and seeing such a famous place, with so much violin making history. When you were there, did you drop in and visit Master Violin maker Edgar Russ?
Wow, what a beautiful legacy for Stradivarius' tools to be kept as an inspiration for a school full of passionate students of violin making. Watching this video you did of the school and it's students and teachers was just so inspiring and oddly emotional when I don't even play an instrument. I'm just so moved by the passion for such a crucial and fragile craft. ❤
Great, thanks for showing us a little of their school there. I like the way they don't spend too much time on the finishing of the arching etc before they put the purfling in. It makes sense (to me) in doing that & that way the fluting & finishing arching can be done at the same time. I've seen other makers glue the body together before doing the purfling but I think before closing (& before carving the inside) is probably how it is taught in Newark, UK though.
Looks like a fantastic school. I can appreciate that for many tools skills will need to be picked up. Using a chisel in that way requires a very sharp tool which in turn means learning how to sharpen your own tools quickly as well as the discipline to do so.
Dear Mr Olaf, I will visit my realitonship on September in Lombardia. My plane arrive at Bergamo. How can I visit this school , will have chance to get in an avarage visitor ? Or it is impossible ? I learned to play violin many years when I was young. ❤
So fascinating. I feel like you would be right at home teaching luthiery, as you are very knowledgeable and like to share your process. Did you pick up anything there that is maybe done differently from what you have been taught, or was what you saw more or less the same?
there are some different methods on violin building. some parts of the process make a big difference, som other not. Some of the more dramatic Iǘe noticed on my years learning lutherie are internal-external mould, Internal or external (again) carving of the archs of top and plate (the usual is to carve first the exterior side, but Iǘe heard of a student from Cremona about making internal first. Violins with or without blocks in the corners (without is weird, but some cheap german ones the use to be like this. Also som cheap instruments used to hace a carved bassbar instead glued and also no block on the neck, just the ribs into it (for sure this last is one of the biggest differences, as is still noticed on how the violin is made after all the process). Some more minor differences is when put the purfling (before or after finish the arch). Oil or alcohol barnishes... How to glue tops and backs (like wich kind of clamping). How to take out the mould, before or after to glue to the top or back... As a friend and teacher told me, also a difference among cremonese lutheríe and non cremonese, seems to be how to put the bench. In Cremona they dont have the light in front of the bench, They use to put it in a wall. Out of Cremona Is more common to look for a window to install the bench, which can be also really bad if the sunlight is so strong... (well, Im not pretty sure If this is a matter Cremona-out of Cremona, Is what I heard and is a big debate when building the workshop. I have two benches: one for winter front of a window and other for summer, with the light coming from the left) Im pretty sure theres still a lot of differences (like neck and scroll carving methods, different tools, templates...). In the end we just look for the end of the procces, which is a a pretty, good sounding and instrument which can be able to been played as many years as posible without problems and as much as stable as posible
Hello Olaf, have you had any experiences with the Hostein bench made violins? particularly the bench David. i was wondering your opinion of them. thank you. I love your videos:)
Checking their website: apparently there are no school internal accommodations (although I don't speak Italian and there might be something hidden in the text). Most European schools don't have internal accommodations, but when you start the enrollment you can contact them - they usually have addresses of reputable landlords that are used to dealing with students or they might even have someone who can support you looking for an apartment or shared accommodations. Depending on where you come from there may also be other things that you need to take care of, like a student visa for non-EU citizens. Most schools have people at hand who can support you. This will also be true if you decide to study somewhere else in Europe, like Mittenwald in Germany.
Naive question: given all the advances I presume have taken place in the art, craft and science of violin making, why is it that the products of the Cremonese luthiers are sought above more modern instruments? Is it simply down to ageing and/or an inability to recreate the varnish?
Many people attribute value to violins according to how close they are to Stradivari. So, violins made in the city where Stradivari lived and worked must be 'the best', in some people's minds. It's an entirely made-up association, perpetuated by tradition (and people who have financial interest in it). There are fantastic violin makers in all corners of the world! Cremona doesn't have the monopoly on it. ...but it is a beautiful place and there are fantastic violin makers there. 😊
@@SculptyWorks Thank you for clarifying this. Can you name a few contemporary highly prized or regarded makers and which musicians regularly perform with their instruments?
@@BsktImp I can name some makers, but don't know many players, because unless you play a Strad or a Del Gesu, it rarely shows up on the news. There's Joseph Curtin, his work sells for hundreds of thousands of $$$. Paolo Vettori is another great maker. One I sort-of know as an acquaintance is David Burgess, whose wait list is 10 years long. Davide Sora is another fantastic living makers whose scrolls make me angry because he makes them so perfect and makes it look so easy and I have such a hard time making scrolls...! 😉
The Chinese factory is no worse. Exactly the same. I have got a Chinese violin from Aliexpress, my teacher at the conservatoire cannot find the difference from her Stradivarius. Price is 200 $. Production only with the help of hand tools according to ancient traditions (TongLing factory)
Olaf while you’re interviewing people please please please stop mumbling and saying things, and interrupting them. It’s incredibly distracting to the listener, and very rude to the person being interviewed. So wonderful to see such a amazing school.
I agree with you that the interjections (although I understand where they come from) were a bit distracting and unfortunate. But I think Olaf is still quite new to these types of videos and will come to understand the difference between having a conversation amongst peers in private, versus having those conversations while making a video which requires a different manner of speaking. I do think Olaf was just so excited himself and almost forgot that he was also making the video for us, whom many don't have his level of knowledge on the field of luthery.
I thought the only way to become a violin maker was to be born the son of one, or to marry the daughter of one, or vice versa.... Or vice vice, and versa Versa.
It's not like royalty, where only sons of kings can become kings. 😀 I'd even suspect being in the family makes for some really awkward family dinners if you use the wrong tool by accident... 🤨😡💥
Prob too much of a time commitment... He's already busy filming for his channel and working in his studio... And the more TwoSet keep inspiring folk to play the violin, the more we're gonna need guys like Olaf, repairing string instruments and crafting new ones!
Amazing video Olaf! What a place to visit. Can’t believe it’s free! :)
Amazing the support and passion the city has for the craft!! Thanks for sharing your visit!
Thanks for sharing this school ,wonderful
Yes it was. I enjoyed this very much.
Wow imagine being able to learn something you're really passionate about without coming out with tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt. 🙃 What an incredible experience for these people!
Thank you for showing us the video, Mr. Olaf, much appreciated! It was very informative. The interviews were fine to me - I don’t see any problem with it. It was a good conversational interview like a talk show. Keep up the good work!
Great video! I enjoyed watching your visit at the Cremona Violin making school. Very interesting and how amazing the school provides this education for free. Amazing!
I would love to hear a Violin made by a student
Thank you so much Olaf. What a wonderful place. I will add Cremona to my dream list. Very kind of you to take us along.
that’s incredible. they actually want to share the knowledge of the craft
No tuition, to learn the art of violin lutherie. Amazing! 😁😃😲
It's a (continental) European thing. We like to invest into the next generation by providing good education for free or at least comparatively reasonable prices. Yes, also for foreigners. The hope is that some of them stay in Europe and pay taxes later on.
Most continental European countries have completely free schools up to high school (in some countries you even get all the school books for free). Very cheap university fees (you usually only pay for access to some services, no actual tuition, teachers are paid by the government). For vocational schools it depends on whether the school is government funded or private, but for most professions you can find a public school that is good, (almost) free and has a good reputation.
Of course you have to pay another price: except for some limited international university courses all European schools teach in the local language.
I'm from Cremona, I'be always been fascinated in this art but could never actually pursuit it. Now I want to graduate University and go back to my hometown to finally study violin making
Hi, when i googled, i found a few different violin making schools in Cremona, are you able to direct which one is this?
Great intro to Cremona's school, vielen Dank Olaf! :)
All the intricacies of the instrument woodwork is divine!
Good video. Last I knew, the VMSA (Violin Making School of America) in Salt Lake City, UT (America), cost about $12,000 each year for three years. A lot of money, but less than college. There are two other violin making schools in America, one in Chicago and one in Boston.
That is absolutely amazing that you can attend the school for free!!
But you still have to find a way to live and survive in Cremona while you study.
Yes, it so wonderful. Such a gift to students.
@@elissahunt if you learn italian, then apply for a student visa, get a job there in cremona (school could have a counsellor etc to help, write to them beforehand) and off you go. However appears you put up your own blocks etc which ensures you won't accomplish your goals.
@@sadhbhdelahunt I have no goal to be a luthier, thank you. I just enjoy Olaf's videos.
The point of my comment was that even with free tuition, going to the school would not be "free" and one would need to plan for that. I never said it couldn't be done.
I hope the school stays free of tuition! It's such a gift to have access to the things you want to learn!
What a cool video! I’m currently learning Violin Making in Mittenwald (in my 3rd year). Definitely recommend the schools to everyone who wants to learn since it’s a save space where you only focus on your own progress
Hi, I'm a beginner in learning German and I plan to apply to the violin making school in Mittenwald next year. I learn your message here, and would like to ask you regarding school applications, and your contact if possible.
Very appreciate.
It is hard for me to believe that 2000 was over 20 years ago now.
I bet that was a wonderful experience being there and seeing such a famous place, with so much violin making history.
When you were there, did you drop in and visit Master Violin maker Edgar Russ?
Wow, what a beautiful legacy for Stradivarius' tools to be kept as an inspiration for a school full of passionate students of violin making.
Watching this video you did of the school and it's students and teachers was just so inspiring and oddly emotional when I don't even play an instrument.
I'm just so moved by the passion for such a crucial and fragile craft. ❤
Great, thanks for showing us a little of their school there. I like the way they don't spend too much time on the finishing of the arching etc before they put the purfling in. It makes sense (to me) in doing that & that way the fluting & finishing arching can be done at the same time.
I've seen other makers glue the body together before doing the purfling but I think before closing (& before carving the inside) is probably how it is taught in Newark, UK though.
I'm surprised they didn't ask Olaf to work with a couple students. They would have enjoyed it.
I went to Cremona last week for a day trip. It was amazing and the museum was wonderful.
Oh how I would love to go and learn violin making :(
If only …
Do it! What’s stopping you?
Fascinating, Olaf. What a super experience for you...
Beautiful thank you
Where did you learn violin making? Thanks for the tour, very informative.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Looks like a fantastic school. I can appreciate that for many tools skills will need to be picked up. Using a chisel in that way requires a very sharp tool which in turn means learning how to sharpen your own tools quickly as well as the discipline to do so.
Thank you, Olaf 💞
wow wish l knew this 20 years ago! Here in Australia there was nothing available.
Great post!!
Thanks for sharing an excellent program.
But like, are you now in Cremona or what? Cause I live here and my dad is a violin maker too, 😊
He was just visiting while on vacation.
Very interesting,thanks!
Dear Mr Olaf, I will visit my realitonship on September in Lombardia. My plane arrive at Bergamo. How can I visit this school , will have chance to get in an avarage visitor ? Or it is impossible ? I learned to play violin many years when I was young. ❤
So fascinating. I feel like you would be right at home teaching luthiery, as you are very knowledgeable and like to share your process. Did you pick up anything there that is maybe done differently from what you have been taught, or was what you saw more or less the same?
Good question... Come in Olaf!
there are some different methods on violin building. some parts of the process make a big difference, som other not. Some of the more dramatic Iǘe noticed on my years learning lutherie are internal-external mould, Internal or external (again) carving of the archs of top and plate (the usual is to carve first the exterior side, but Iǘe heard of a student from Cremona about making internal first. Violins with or without blocks in the corners (without is weird, but some cheap german ones the use to be like this. Also som cheap instruments used to hace a carved bassbar instead glued and also no block on the neck, just the ribs into it (for sure this last is one of the biggest differences, as is still noticed on how the violin is made after all the process). Some more minor differences is when put the purfling (before or after finish the arch). Oil or alcohol barnishes... How to glue tops and backs (like wich kind of clamping). How to take out the mould, before or after to glue to the top or back...
As a friend and teacher told me, also a difference among cremonese lutheríe and non cremonese, seems to be how to put the bench. In Cremona they dont have the light in front of the bench, They use to put it in a wall. Out of Cremona Is more common to look for a window to install the bench, which can be also really bad if the sunlight is so strong... (well, Im not pretty sure If this is a matter Cremona-out of Cremona, Is what I heard and is a big debate when building the workshop. I have two benches: one for winter front of a window and other for summer, with the light coming from the left)
Im pretty sure theres still a lot of differences (like neck and scroll carving methods, different tools, templates...). In the end we just look for the end of the procces, which is a a pretty, good sounding and instrument which can be able to been played as many years as posible without problems and as much as stable as posible
Love your channel! Grazie
Great vid thank u
Can you make a series of you making a violin?
Hi Olaf, why does it take 2 years to learn on sharpen/use your tools?? that's so much time..
Olaf, what camera do you use?
Hello Olaf, have you had any experiences with the Hostein bench made violins? particularly the bench David. i was wondering your opinion of them. thank you. I love your videos:)
💙
Olaf! Did you see anyone attempt to make a cello, or is the focus all on violins and violas?
Sure I spied someone working on a cello in the film footage...
Found it.... @ 7:32
@@wakingtheworld Seen it - yay. Cello gang!!
@@heathermcdougall8023 Violin gang here! [Cello my next favourite instrument. Would love to give it a go one day]
My daughters love to have hot chocolate with you while drinking your coffee! thanks for sharing
Are the accommodations at the school, or to be found, where you can, in the town?
Checking their website: apparently there are no school internal accommodations (although I don't speak Italian and there might be something hidden in the text). Most European schools don't have internal accommodations, but when you start the enrollment you can contact them - they usually have addresses of reputable landlords that are used to dealing with students or they might even have someone who can support you looking for an apartment or shared accommodations. Depending on where you come from there may also be other things that you need to take care of, like a student visa for non-EU citizens. Most schools have people at hand who can support you.
This will also be true if you decide to study somewhere else in Europe, like Mittenwald in Germany.
Naive question: given all the advances I presume have taken place in the art, craft and science of violin making, why is it that the products of the Cremonese luthiers are sought above more modern instruments? Is it simply down to ageing and/or an inability to recreate the varnish?
Materials used I think. Cremonia is close to aged woods used on violin making.
Many people attribute value to violins according to how close they are to Stradivari. So, violins made in the city where Stradivari lived and worked must be 'the best', in some people's minds.
It's an entirely made-up association, perpetuated by tradition (and people who have financial interest in it).
There are fantastic violin makers in all corners of the world! Cremona doesn't have the monopoly on it. ...but it is a beautiful place and there are fantastic violin makers there. 😊
@@SculptyWorks Thank you for clarifying this. Can you name a few contemporary highly prized or regarded makers and which musicians regularly perform with their instruments?
@@BsktImp I can name some makers, but don't know many players, because unless you play a Strad or a Del Gesu, it rarely shows up on the news.
There's Joseph Curtin, his work sells for hundreds of thousands of $$$. Paolo Vettori is another great maker. One I sort-of know as an acquaintance is David Burgess, whose wait list is 10 years long. Davide Sora is another fantastic living makers whose scrolls make me angry because he makes them so perfect and makes it look so easy and I have such a hard time making scrolls...! 😉
The Chinese factory is no worse. Exactly the same. I have got a Chinese violin from Aliexpress, my teacher at the conservatoire cannot find the difference from her Stradivarius. Price is 200 $. Production only with the help of hand tools according to ancient traditions (TongLing factory)
I'm not confident to Chinese made violins as chinese made does not have a good reputation and quality control is very poor.
@@sadhbhdelahunt Chinese factories are owned by European businessmen. Choose the factory correctly
Olaf while you’re interviewing people please please please stop mumbling and saying things, and interrupting them. It’s incredibly distracting to the listener, and very rude to the person being interviewed. So wonderful to see such a amazing school.
@@FulsomeMcGinley I respect your opinion, and the right you have to give it.
I agree with you that the interjections (although I understand where they come from) were a bit distracting and unfortunate. But I think Olaf is still quite new to these types of videos and will come to understand the difference between having a conversation amongst peers in private, versus having those conversations while making a video which requires a different manner of speaking. I do think Olaf was just so excited himself and almost forgot that he was also making the video for us, whom many don't have his level of knowledge on the field of luthery.
I noticed that as well.
I agree, wonderful content but this would be an area of improvement if you decide to do more interview style videos.
I appreciate you taking the time to film and share this video with everyone.
I thought the only way to become a violin maker was to be born the son of one, or to marry the daughter of one, or vice versa.... Or vice vice, and versa Versa.
It's not like royalty, where only sons of kings can become kings. 😀
I'd even suspect being in the family makes for some really awkward family dinners if you use the wrong tool by accident... 🤨😡💥
Funny
Сплошные китайцы.
why westoids are like this?
Olaf would you ever consider taking on a apprentice in your workshop?
Prob too much of a time commitment... He's already busy filming for his channel and working in his studio... And the more TwoSet keep inspiring folk to play the violin, the more we're gonna need guys like Olaf, repairing string instruments and crafting new ones!