You may not yet know what a violin maker can do in Cyprus, but I intend to tell you. Indeed, this island situated between Turkey, Egypt and opposite Israel is not necessarily the first place we think of when it comes to classical music and violin making. However, there are many musicians who play both European art music and folk music at a very high level. The first time I went there was in 2013, exactly 10 years ago this year, and by chance I went back to celebrate this 10th anniversary. Here are a few moments to share with you.
A luthier in Cyprus
My first trip to Cyprus
The first time I visited this Mediterranean island was just after the start of the new year 2013. I went there to work for 6 months in Stepan Soultanian's workshop. An alumnus of the Newark School of Violin Making, he occasionally welcomes students. So, through the school's network, I was lucky enough to take part in this experience. It's important to play on this point as soon as possible to forge links with more experienced mentors. It's always an opportunity to strike a nostalgic chord and relive their youth.
Looking back on that period, and the time we spent at the workbench, I can say that I learned an enormous amount. In fact, it was no less than nine hours a day, six days a week. There's no denying that this apprenticeship left its mark.
One of the first contacts with the professional world
At the time, I was a recent graduate, and although I had some experience, I didn't yet realize what violin making really meant. That's why I always recommend violin making students, present and future, to immerse themselves in the professional world as soon as possible. On the one hand, to gain a better understanding of what is expected of a violin maker's work(this will change depending on the workshop), but also to validate the fact that this career will be suitable for the long term.
Anyway, to go back to my experience at the time, it was a real shock. Because even with several years under my belt, between school and internships, I realized the gap there was with the (real) professional world. All the more so when the demands are high.
Overly permissive teaching
What I've also noticed over the years is that the way schools teach is sometimes too flexible, or perhaps too free. So, I find that it's probably more productive in a learning context to avoid too much freedom and personal expression. It would be better to devote oneself to a single method and master it before moving on to one's own interpretation. However, these are considerations that came to me long after my apprenticeship years, in which I loved to flutter about.
My second trip to Cyprus
As I set foot on Cypriot soil for the second time, I realized how quickly the years had flown by. It had already been ten years since my last visit. Of course, I had seen Stepan on several occasions during his travels, and we were in constant contact. However, it was with a twinge of sorrow that I found the same smells, the same sounds, the same landscapes.
For a luthier in Cyprus, this must have seemed normal, but for me, I was almost in a surreal world. Whereas in Strasbourg, everything is hustle and bustle, with luthiers and musicians constantly coming and going, there's no respite. As a result, the incredibly relaxing surroundings were extremely conducive to creation and rest. What a pleasure it was, in this case, for the two of us to embark on making new instruments, as we had done a decade earlier.
A luthier in Cyprus
As you'll understand by reading these lines, I'm 6 months late in publishing this article. The business has become so hectic that I haven't had time to get on with the articles, videos and other projects that are so close to my heart. In fact, if I have to confess anything, it's a little frustrating.
But that's life! And since I've been back, I've been able to make progress on quite a few issues. In particular, I've been working hard to promote Stepan's superb violins and cellos. Unfortunately, I've already sold the two I've had since the beginning of this year. But I'd be delighted to show them to you on video and let you try them out in the workshop. But I'd have to find the time to do that, wouldn't I?
Goeury