Page 76 - The Strad (February 2020)
P. 76
Lutherie
MY SPACE
A peek into lutherie workshops around the world
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LUTHIER
xq Z BaH,B # ) a
LOCATION
Mirecourt, France
y workshop is located in a historic
18th-century building about 500 metres
from the centre of Mirecourt. I moved
M here a few months ago, having previously
had a shop on the main street. I decided I needed more
space to live and work, and this place, built as a wine
store for the town, was ideal. I trained at the École
Nationale de Lutherie de Mirecourt and then moved
away for several years; I returned when I met my partner,
Audrey Pierre, who went on to study there as well. Now
that she’s graduated, we work together in the workshop,
often on the same instruments. is is one reason why
I’ve put the workbenches side by side, in order to have
a large workspace. I also often have students from the
École in here to learn – there’s only so much you can
discover about instrument making in a school and
hands-on experience is always important.
e workshop shown in the picture is around 45 sq m
and there’s a smaller room through the doorway on the
right, which is used for varnishing. I also have a few
instruments on display, though it’s less important to
have a showroom when I only open by appointment.
e instruments hanging up are mostly in for repair,
although most of my time is taken up with new making.
Once I’d found my own particular making style,
I decided I was more comfortable working as far
as possible in the traditional style of the Mirecourt
makers. So I use my bandsaw and larger equipment
as little as I can.
e workbenches are very traditional as well; they’re ,-9 #'2&-2+ -832 -9 32' 3( ;,' 1!2@ ;,-2+9 -2 ;,-9
All photos Yves-Antoine GAchet most useful, and I can keep smaller tools and templates >3809,36 ;,!;
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quite old and solidly built, which I think makes them
in the drawers. e benches are very low, which is
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typical for Mirecourt violin making. ere are still
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around ten full-time luthiers based in Mirecourt and
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we often get together to share information and tips.
INTERVIEW BY CHRISTIAN LLOYD
74 THE STRAD FEBRUARY 2020 www.thestrad.com
