Fine Violin by Theodor Berger – Markneukirchen circa 1930

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Branded:

Theodor Berger (1877-1974) made this violin in the town of Markneukirchen, Germany. He was born in 1877 in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he learned his craft from 1901-1918. He apprenticed in his hometown with Ernst Geisser, a highly esteemed maker in pre-revolutionary Russia. He also studied with Oskar Otto and at the workshop of Julius Heberlein of Markneukirchen. Berger established a successful violin making business between World War I and World War II and by 1920 became a highly respected maker, regarded for his excellent workmanship by other makers and professional players alike. He stayed in the Saxony region, building and honing his craft his entire life until his death in 1974.

This violin shows excellent workmanship at the highest levels. The woods are choice, tight straight spruce for the top that gradually widen at the flanks. The ribs, neck, and scroll all match in degree of the flame. The maple back is one piece, highly flamed with a flame of medium width that descends slightly from left to right. The arching in each plate is indicative of a Stradivari pattern mixed with Berger’s own personal style. The violin is completed in an amber/orange/brown varnish and it shows signs of normal playing wear and patina. I have given the violin a new set of pegs, a nut, cambered the fingerboard, new bridge, soundpost, tailpiece, button, and chin rest.

Corpus: 356.0 mm., Major Width: 205.5 mm. Minor Width: 165.5 mm. Rib Height: 29.0 mm.

The violin sound is better than nice. It is fantastic. Berger had profound sensitivity in his carving to achieve great response and drive out of his instruments. It has a powerful and lively sound with exceptional tonal balance. This violin is ready for a soloist, a serious performer, and will shine in any section of the orchestra. The violin is a WOW and speaks instantly; responds so well I could not put it down as I was locking in where to place the sound post. The violin has a brilliance about it while retaining depth, maturity, and a presence found on concert instruments. This is a fantastic violin.