E.H. Roth VR Violin, Markneukirchen, 1925 | SHAR Music

Features

An excellent example of a lesser known violin from the Roth Workshop, this Francesco Ruggeri copy from Germany's Golden Era of violinmaking has quickly become a favorite in our shop. Originally marketed as a "Lady's violin", the Roth VR has slightly smaller proportions making this petite violin incredibly comfortable to play while the higher arching provides ample projection. A fine one piece back cut on the slab with tight grained spruce top and red-orange varnish over a golden ground.

The E.H. Roth Workshop
Founded in 1902 by Ernst Heinrich Roth, the E. H. Roth company has regularly produced some of the finest German stringed instruments. It has also produced some of the best violin makers in Germany, who apprenticed with the firm and developed into master violin makers. All Roth violins have the Roth label inside, with the names of the best makers appearing on the labels, and the model number of the instrument also appearing, indicative of the level. Ernst Heinrich Roth himself is unquestionably considered the best maker at his family’s company.

Learn more about: The German Violin Making Tradition

Price: $12,000

Size: 4/4

Tonal Profile:

Chamber

Solo

Bass

Treble

rich & Textured

Direct & Clear

Gallery

Country of Origin

The German Violin Making Tradition

As with most industries, the history of German violin making can be traced to the history of Germany itself, with its twists and turns of economic and social trends, influence of outsiders, emergence of new technologies, and access to natural resources and trade routes. Long-standing German traditions of high quality, efficient production processes and savvy evaluation of and response to market demands, combined to create a unique industry, with today's markets continuing to rely on the quality instruments produced in Germany long ago.

Markneukirchen: The Center of Violin Making in Germany

In the Vogtland region of eastern Germany, on the Czech border, lies the town of Markneukirchen. Ideally situated in a region that abundantly provides the timber required for instrument making as well as the infrastructure for transportation and trade, Markneukirchen has enjoyed a prominent position as a center of fine craft as well as efficient production. With a legacy that goes back centuries, Markneukirchen today has a reputation for fine, handmade stringed instruments, and is called by many, "The Cremona of Germany".

Mittenwald

The Bavarian town of Mittenwald, in southern Germany, has been an important trade center for centuries because of geography – it is in a low lying valley in the northern Alps, conducive to transportation. In what would prove to be the key to Mittenwald's emergence as a center of violin making, Italian trade increased sharply through valley in the 17th century, enabling export of Mittenwald's fine carved statuary, and import of Italy's violins. By the latter 17th century, violin making was firmly established in Mittenwald, and was further bolstered by the emerging guild system.

Workshops

Explore the workshops of E.H. Roth, Heberlein and E.R. Schmidt.