Violin Paul Hilaire, 1963

Paul Hilaire (1906 -1967 in Mirecourt) worked as Georges Apparut’s first assistant in his workshop in Mirecourt. After his death, he took over the workshop together with Apparut’s widow. Thus, this 1963 violin is a work from a later period and as such already embodies a great deal of the wisdom, routine, and experience of a long-time master.

The one-piece back as well as the arching are this violin’s most distinctive features; while the top appears to be more reminiscent of Jacob Stainer’s models, the back seems nearly Italian. If the aim of this design was to emphasize the response of the instrument, the idea succeeds: the tone attunes immediately and presents itself very directly, which offers the musician a lot of room for inspiration. The rough edges of the tone, which the instrument fortunately also offers, inspire interest, curiosity and the joy of playing that this violin brings. In itself, it has a very characteristic sound, which can still be described as balanced.