Violin by René Morizot- Mirecourt 1949

click picture to enlarge

Label:

LUTHIER D’ART #135
RENÉ MORIZOT
Année 1949
In 1933 René established his own shop in Mirecourt and became one of France’s important violin makers after WWII. René Morizot (1917–2001) was the sixth son of Louis Morizot, the famous bow maker and the last of the dynasty known as “Le Gamin.” His life could not have been easy. He was the only son who dedicated his life to violin making. He served his apprenticeship with Emile Audinot in Mirecourt, an influential teacher of the craft. After his first few years as the only violin maker in the family’s bow making workshop, he took steps towards working for himself in 1939, only to have his career halted by WWII. He spent 5 years held as a prisoner of war. He somehow survived and still retained his enthusiasm for building and producing violins. By the late 1940’s he began to establish himself successfully. René not only had a highly successful workshop, for 13 years (1969-1982) he was a teacher at the National School of Violin Making in Mirecourt. He was a very good business owner and must have been a people person with great teaching skills. I think that is fantastic. He made violins in Strad and Guarneri models that were sought after by all types of players. His violins have a sound that is brilliant as well as powerful that seasoned players sought after the war. This violin bears the label RENÉ MORIZOT 1949 with the signature on the label and the number 135. The violin is an excellent example of the Morizot shop’s fine work. The violin has a flamed one-piece maple back, fine grain spruce top that widens at the flanks, exquisitely beautiful orange/brown varnish, and a slightly raised edge that falls right down to the purfling which is subtly unique and sets the violin apart. The instrument has the brand “FRANCE” in two places: on the back tongue and vertically near the end button on the bottom rib. We have meticulously gone over the violin and restored one saddle crack on the treble side. We gave the violin new rosewood fittings: pegs, tailpiece and chin rest, along with a Despiau grade B bridge, and a new sound post. The instrument is ready to lead an entire orchestra section.

Corpus 354.0 mm., Major Width 206.0 mm., Minor Width 165.5 mm. Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The violin has unmistakable French character in construction, varnish coloring, and weight of the instrument. But it’s the sound that makes this violin truly noticeable. The instrument is powerful and radiant, both at the same time. It strikes me as having a little edge to the bottom voice, which I love. The edginess helps create overtones and adds to the sophistication of the overall color. The violin has a good-to-great response off the strings and resonates. The bass side and treble side work together and I find no fault even up high in positions. The violin has a WOW sound and is a gem.