A Beautiful Contemporary Viola by Yael Rosenblum, Torino 2020. 16 1/8”

Previously a professional violinist and violist, Ms. Rosenblum graduated from the Jerusalem Arts and Science academy in 1996, and from the Stradivarius International Violin Making School with a Classic and Baroque specialisation in Cremona. For the past 20 years Ms. Rosenblum has been creating violin, viola and cello masterpieces in Cremona and Turin. Her instruments were chosen by principal players of the La Scala Symphony Orchestra in Milan, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera House in Florence, The American Ballet Theatre in New York, Santa Cecilia Symphony Orchestra in Rome, Quartetto di Cremona and for many other extraordinary musicians around the world. A special appreciation was pronounced by Maestro Zubin Mehta, saying that, unlike any other modern instrument, Yael Rosenblum's violins remind one of the old Italian sound.

This beautiful viola was hand crafted with the greatest care and attention to detail in Turin during the pandemic of 2020, exemplifying all the traditions of Cremonese making with a few personal touches. In particular, I’m quite taken with the balance between an artistic level of precision and the almost rolling softness to the edge work and chamfering. An aesthetic only matched by its characteristically modular and distinctly powerful voice. I would describe the sound as bright, warm, and buttery, with an immediate, supple response. Personally, I get the same satisfaction from playing this instrument that one might expect after a great meal. 

Detailed Measurements:

Length of Back: 410mm

Upper Bout: 192mm

Lower Bout: 238mm

String Length: 383mm