"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?” gifted scientist Albert Einstein once said. 

A participant of the competition takes a photo of his instrument at the AŻAD premises in Valletta. Photos: Mark Zammit Cordina

Unbeknown to many, the theoretical physicist was also an avid music enthusiast and reportedly played the violin beautifully.

An international event taking place in Malta in the coming days will celebrate the melodious sound of this instrument and also highlight its aesthetics, with particular attention given to the non-classical form of the violin family, which includes the viola and cello.

The Malta International Violin-Making Competition will see the participation of 55 luthiers from across the world, including Australia, the US, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and several European countries, who will present about 100 stringed instruments, including their bows, made from scratch.

The violin, viola and cello were first made in the early 16th century, in Italy, but the overall pattern of these instruments as we know them today was set in the 17th century by luthiers like the celebrated Amati family (1538-1740) of Cremona, Italy; Jakob Stainer (1619-1683), the earliest and best known Austrian and Germanic luthier; and Italian legend Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), also of Cremona.

Making these instruments requires a lot of skill and dedication.

We are trying to prove to all luthiers that instruments with non-typical shapes can sound as good or even better than classical ones

“It means lots of patience and requires excellent craftsmanship and weeks of work,” said Volodymyr Baran of Violin Company Limited, organiser of the event.

“Most luthiers study at important schools such as those in Cremona, Mittenwald, Beijing, San Francisco and other locations. Experience after study is considered ‘the’ must.”

The competition is highlighting the non-classical forms of the stringed instruments.

Curiously enough, many luthiers would not have studied how to play a string instrument but learn to do so during their career.

The competition is divided into three categories, including one dedicated to instruments of asymmetrical form.

“We are trying to prove to all luthiers that instruments with non-typical shapes can sound as good or even better than classical ones,” Mro Baran said.

Irrespective of their shape, all instruments will be judged for their choice of material, craftsmanship quality, finishing, tone and playability and balance and performance.

The maestro, who has performed solo and worked in chamber music formations and orchestras in Switzerland, Germany and China, has been based in Malta since 2008. He has performed with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and, since 2010, is the artistic director and the CEO of the Violin Company Limited, the Malta International Music Competition, the Central Academy of Arts and other educational programmes.

For this competition, which is in its third edition, he is collaborating with the organisers of the China International Violin Making Competition, that takes place in Beijing, and the Triennale International Violin Making Competition, held in Cremona.

Judges for the local event are well-known master luthiers. 

They are Simeone Morassi, of Italy, president of the Associazione Liutaria Italiana; Zheng Quan, president of the Association of Violin Makers of China; French-born master luthier Christopher Landon, well known for his instruments and for repairing prestigious ones such as Stradivari, Guadagnini and Vuillaume; and Tadeusz Slodyczka, of Poland, who is a jury member and president of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition.

The instrument which places first will be displayed in China. Other prizes include medals, certificates, a handmade violin case and a scholarship at the Central Academy of Arts.

The competition, which was inaugurated yesterday at the premises of the Valletta Local Council, runs until Saturday. 

The instruments will be on display at the Ażad premises at 224, Republic Street, Valletta, today and at the Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian’s tomorrow, on Friday and Saturday. 

There will also be a series of activities. A concert and conference will be held at the Ażad premises this evening at 7.30pm, while the Mdina Local Council will host an open master class by Mro Baran tomorrow. The event will come to an end with a gala night on Saturday at the Cavalieri Art Hotel. 

For more information, visit https://central-academy.com/violin-making-competition

Making a violin requires patience, craftsmanship and weeks of work.

Luthiers checking some of the competition entries.

About a 100 instruments are competing for the top prize.