A Beautiful Contemporary Cremonese Viola By Yam Uri Raz, 2015. 16 1/4”

Yam Uri Raz is a graduate of the Scuola Internazionale Di Luteria Cremona, where he was mentored by esteemed craftsmen-teachers including Massimo Negroni. He spent another two years in Cremona after the four year program apprenticing with other artisans, crafting instruments by commission, and teaching at the Academia Cremonensis, a private violin-making school. A native of Jerusalem, Israel, Yam was an avid guitarist who turned his attentions to violin making at the encouragement of the well known luthier and restorer, Shlomo Moyal. He now resides in Hilo, Hawaii, where he established his own workshop some five years ago and from which he makes masterful instruments in the Cremonese tradition.

With each instrument requiring some 350 hours to complete, Yam’s dedication to his work is clear, proving evidently meticulous, and aesthetically graceful. This viola from 2015 may be of his earlier creations, but serves to illustrate the high level and precise attention to detail for which his work is sought after and has been since his second year of schooling. Richly colored lightly antiqued varnish highlights attractive wood choice and clean lines, further balanced by ‘whitened’ edgework for an unmistakenly Italian feel. With a back length of 413mm of 16 1/4,” this beautiful viola delivers a rich sonorous voice with a bright edge that lends both depth and clear articulation at a comfortable size. The lyric quality and flexibility of which is suitable for performing at the highest level and sure to please the most demanding of artists.