A Beautiful Macedonian Violin By Svetozar Bogdanoski, 2018
Svetozar Bogdanoski was a painter of some renown before he began making violins and has been crafting artisanal instruments for 40 years in his workshop in Veles, Macedonia with the assistance of his wife, Marija and fellow artist, Tatiana Modena. To date, the workshop has produced more than 700 instruments, and his highly esteemed personal work has won multiple awards at competitions in the United States and Italy despite proclamations of being self-taught. Bogdanoski is known for masterful copies and artistic interpretations of the Cremonese greats and has sourced his tone-woods from Bosnia for the last 20 years. This stunning specimen after Guarneri from 2018 was made for and dedicated to his long time tone-wood supplier, personally inscribed to the inside of the belly. It is a competitive example among his own work and readily demonstrates the refined qualities for which Bodanoski’s instruments are so sought after. Moreover, the 352mm length of back makes it an incomparable candidate for the performer who’s considerations include greater facilitation for the slighter hand.