Felix Ayo, violin
Stephanie Gonley, violin
Esther Hoppe, violin
James Dunham, viola
William Coleman, viola
Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, cello
Israel Fausto Martínez, cello
Rubén Fornell, doublebass
Javier Arago, bassoon
Daniel del Pino Gil, piano
Benedicte Palko, piano
Jan Inge Almås, piano technician
Thomas Bertrand, luthier
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Thomas Bertrand - violin-making
The Festival´s violin maker is accesible to the audience, and we would also like to invite You to two sessions of instrument comparison lead by Thomas Bertrand together with Festival artists.
Instrument comparison:
Monday 7th, 1800: With violinist Stephanie Gonley.
Friday 11th, 1830: With violist James Dunham.Accesible to audience withouth appointment:
Tuesday 8th: 0930-1200
Wednesday 9th: 1700-2000
Thursday 10th: 1100-1400
Saturday 11th: 0930-1230Son of a sculptor who was also a music lover, Thomas Bertrand was born in Brussels in 1963. Once completed his general studies, which included the study of cello, and a brief period at university, he left for Italy in 1982. He immersed himself in the spirit, styles, and techniques of classic Italian violin making in Cremona. After graduating from that city's International School of Violin Making (IPIALL) in 1986, he went on to further training in Germany, where he learned about the restoration of the masterpieces of the past.
In 1991 he opened his workshop in Brussels, where he both makes instruments and carries out sound optimisation.
Thomas Bertrand participated in the major international violin making competitions: Cremona, Mittenwald, Carlisle (USA), Manchester, Albuquerque (USA), Paris. He was awarded numerous certificates of merit, two silver medals (in Cremona in 1991 and in Carlisle (USA) in 1992) and a gold medal in Baltimore (USA) in 2006.
His principal inspiration comes from the masterpieces of the great Cremonese and Venitian makers of the classical period. His research on sound and sound adjustment is sustained by his close relationship to music as well as an intense dialogue established with the musicians.
His instruments are appreciated in Europe as well as North America and the Far East.
Thomas Bertrand is member of the French "Association des Luthiers et Archetiers pour le Développement de la Facture Instrumentale" (ALADFI) and the Violin Society of America (VSA).
