A Viola of My Own
As a musician, I have always been fascinated by the instruments that shape our sound. But rather than just searching for the perfect viola, I had chance to build one myself. This journey - from raw wood to a fully playable instrument - was both a challenge and a revelation. Every musician has a unique relationship with their instrument. I wanted to explore that connection even further by crafting one with my own hands, shaping not just its sound, but also its identity.
When
From January 2024 to January 2025, the journey began with selecting the wood and culminated in the first concert performance. Each step, from carving the plates to applying the varnish, taught me lessons in patience and precision—sometimes elusive, but always valuable. Under the guidance of the strict yet inspiring mentor Peter Greiner, I fused tradition with my own intuition to craft a viola that truly feels like an extension of myself.
Where
My first patch of wood work started in Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music week, where I was playing the viola kindly loaned by IMS Prussia Cove. During my week there, I spent a lot of time in the instrument workshop and developed great interests in wood carving.
This viola was mostly made in W.E. Hill&Sons Studio in Hampstead London.
How
It''s difficult to cover the whole making process in one go...
Here I picked some photos, it was indeed quite an adventure...
More info coming soon :)
What's Next
Hearing my viola’s first notes was a moment I’ll never forget. Its tone is rich and warm, with a deep resonance that sings in the lower register and a brilliant clarity in the upper range- clearly, it's impossible for me to be objective :)
However, it is true that playing on my own creation feels indescribable in a way words can not describe.
At this stage, the sound is ever changing.
I hope to bring this viola to many different places and it will stay with me for a long long time.
