Stephan von Baehr entered the world of violin making in 1988 under the guidance of Reinhard Bönsch in Germany. His passion for craftsmanship led him to Paris in 1993, where he joined the Sabatier workshop, specializing in the restoration of ancient instruments. Alongside, Stephan enriched his artistic skills through an apprenticeship in sculpture with Jochen Heinzmann.
His dedication to the craft has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Meisterbrief diploma in 1995, affirming his status as a master violin maker. Stephan's remarkable talents were further acknowledged with top honors at several international competitions, spanning from 1998 to 2012, highlighting his excellence in both individual and quartet instrument crafting.
A significant milestone in Stephan's career was achieved in 2021 when a violin he crafted for Isabelle Faust was auctioned for $171,524 USD, setting a record for the highest auction price for a living maker.
Musicians around the globe treasure Stephan's instruments, some of which are part of esteemed collections like Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben and supported by Societé Générale for young talented musicians in France. He is also an esteemed member of the Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art de France and the Verband deutscher Geigenbauer und Bogenmacher e.V., showcasing his significant contributions to the field of violin making.
A fine viola by Stephan von Baehr, made in Paris in 2009. Von Baehr is one of the most prominent makers in the world, with an impressive list of clients, including some of the finest players of our generation. He has recently gained even more popularity after a violin which belonged to Isabelle Faust broke the world record at auction for a living maker in 2021. He is particularly well known for his violas, and this Guarneri-Amati inspired model achieves the perfect blend between size, sound and playability. The sound is noble, powerful and refined, particularly on the low end. The top saddle has an indent for a slightly shorter stop, making the instrument feel very comfortable under the hand, without sacrificing on sound. A must try!
View InstrumentStephan von Baehr needs no introduction. He is one of the most respected violin makers in the world and the list of artists who play his instruments is very impressive. Players include Ning Feng, Myung Whun Chun, Anastasia Kobekina, Albena Danailova, Rainer Honeck, Giovanni Guzzo, etc. Of special note is Isabelle Faust, who owned this very violin. We are very pleased to offer this instrument by such an esteemed maker. In terms of sound, it possesses a depth and richness which is very unique. The colour range is wide enabling the player to discover a varied range of sounds. The strikingly refined and complex sound makes it a wonderful and versatile violin.
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