Fifth String Fine Instruments

Startseite
österreich
Vienna
Fifth String Fine Instruments

Fine instruments and bows, curated in Vienna. Helping musicians find their perfect sound.

23/04/2026

We’ve started writing! 📖

Join us as we share stories and insights from the world of fine instruments.

First piece now live. link in bio!

Link in bio!

26/03/2026

The Fifth String Showcase, Vienna — now concluded.

Thank you to all who joined and engaged so thoughtfully with the instruments. 🎻

With special appreciation to the makers for their trust and for sharing their work.

We look forward to what comes next. ✨

13/03/2026

Maker Spotlight: Danuta Pawlikowska

Danuta Pawlikowska was born in Nowy Targ, Poland, and began her violin making education at the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Zakopane. In 1991 she continued her practical training in Kraków in the workshop of her uncle, Jan Pawlikowski.

Since 1995 she has run her own workshop in Kraków, building instruments on commission while also restoring and repairing bowed string instruments.

Pawlikowska builds violins based on models by Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù, violas inspired by Stradivari, the Amati brothers, and Gasparo da Salò, and cellos based on Stradivari models. Her work is known for careful craftsmanship and a strong focus on tonal quality.

Her instruments have received recognition in numerous international competitions, including awards at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition, and the Triennale in Cremona.

We are honored to present instruments by Danuta Pawlikowska at the Fifth String Showcase in Vienna.

📍 Himmelpfortgasse 12, 1010
📅 March 16–22, 2026

12/03/2026

Maker Spotlight: Carlo Costantini

Born in Padua, Carlo Costantini moved to Cremona to pursue the art of violin making. He studied at the International School of Violin Making in Cremona, graduating in 2020 with a specialization in restoration after training in instrument construction, theory, and varnishing techniques.

During his final year of studies and after graduating, Costantini worked in several violin making workshops between Cremona and Brescia, gaining valuable practical experience and further refining his craftsmanship.

His work aims to combine refined craftsmanship with a strong cultural and technical understanding of musical instruments, drawing on traditional Cremonese methods while carefully studying historical models and materials.

Through continuous research and hands-on experience, he strives to further develop his work and create instruments of ever higher quality.

We are honored to present instruments by Carlo Costantini at the Fifth String Showcase in Vienna.

📍 Himmelpfortgasse 12, 1010
📅 March 16–22, 2026

12/03/2026

Maker Spotlight: Michael Holzer

Michael Holzer, born in Vienna in 1986, has been building reconstructions of historical string instruments since 2010. His work focuses on instruments inspired by the great Cremonese masters, with particular attention to the 1743 Guarneri “del Gesù” Sauret model.

Holzer combines traditional craftsmanship with scientific research, studying the materials and techniques used in historical instrument making. His work places special emphasis on recreating the visual and acoustic qualities of Italian varnishes from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

During his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, he conducted research on historical varnish and pigment composition, working in collaboration with chemists to better understand and recreate historically documented materials.

Since 2021, he has also been responsible for the restoration of string instruments in the historic instrument collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

We are honored to present instruments by Michael Holzer at the Fifth String Showcase in Vienna.

📍 Himmelpfortgasse 12, 1010
📅 March 16–22, 2026

12/03/2026

Maker Spotlight: Martin Horvat

Martin Horvat’s development as a violin maker was shaped by several formative influences: a simple rural childhood, a strong musical education in his hometown of Vienna, and early encounters with the vibrant artistic culture of Italy.

From a young age he was drawn to the visual arts, music, and science. In violin making he discovered the ideal meeting point of these passions — a craft that combines craftsmanship, scientific understanding, tonal imagination, and artistic design.

Horvat completed his training at the International School of Violin Making in Cremona, where he has lived and worked for nearly three decades. Cremona, widely regarded as the world center of violin making, continues to shape his work through its historic tradition and ongoing dialogue with internationally renowned musicians.

At the heart of Horvat’s approach lies a deep understanding of each musician’s individual tonal preferences. His instruments are created through careful exploration of sound, playability, and the performer’s needs, aiming to unite artistic freedom with technical reliability.

Martin Horvat is a member of the Distretto Culturale di Cremona, maintaining a close connection to Cremona’s historic violin-making tradition.

We are honored to present instruments by Martin Horvat at the Fifth String Showcase in Vienna.

📍 Himmelpfortgasse 12, 1010
📅 March 16–22, 2026

12/03/2026

Maker Spotlight: Igor Moroder

Born in Bolzano in 1961 and raised in Ortisei in the Dolomites, Igor Moroder grew up surrounded by craftsmanship. His grandfathers were woodcarvers and sculptors, and from a very young age he developed a deep familiarity with working with wood.

Moroder began studying violin making in 1980 at the renowned violin making school in Cremona, graduating in 1984. He continued his training in Bern with Otto Karl Schenk, where he gained extensive experience in restoration. Later, in Lausanne, he worked with Pierre Ge**er and Pierre Mastrangelo, further refining his understanding of restoration and acoustical adjustment.

This period proved especially influential. Moroder became the last pupil of Pierre Ge**er, the celebrated restorer known for enhancing the sound of fine instruments for legendary musicians such as David Oistrakh, Nathan Milstein, and Isaac Stern. His friendship with chemistry professor Theo Gistelinck also played an important role in Moroder’s research into varnish production.

From 1991 to 2009 he ran his own workshop in Verona, building instruments, restoring fine works, and training young violin makers. Today he has built around 200 instruments, most finished with his own self produced oil varnish.

Moroder currently lives and works in Milan, continuing his research into sound, varnish, and craftsmanship.

We are honored to present instruments by Igor Moroder at the Fifth String Showcase in Vienna, taking place March 16–22, 2026.

Come experience these instruments alongside works by makers from across Europe.

📍 Himmelpfortgasse 12, 1010
📅 March 16–22, 2026

10/02/2026

Our very first showcase is happening in Vienna 🎻

March 16 to 22, 10am to 4pm. A full week of fine string instruments, from modern makers to historic pieces, all in one place.

Open to the public and open to curiosity. Everyone is welcome to try the instruments freely and take their time with them.

Questions about the showcase? Send us a message, we’d love to hear from you!

Adresse

Salztorgasse 2
Vienna
1010

Webseite

https://fifthstringfineinstruments.com/

Benachrichtigungen

Lassen Sie sich von uns eine E-Mail senden und seien Sie der erste der Neuigkeiten und Aktionen von Fifth String Fine Instruments erfährt. Ihre E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht für andere Zwecke verwendet und Sie können sich jederzeit abmelden.