M A T H I J S A D R I A A N H E Y L I G E R S M A S T E R V I O L I N M A K E R
Gallery
A PICTORIAL JOURNEY IN THE WORK OF MATHIJS
ADRIAAN HEYLIGERS
The production of string instruments by Mathijs A. Heyligers is special even within the distinguished panorama of Cremona violin making. In fact, one has the opportunity of choosing between Heyligers Cremona instruments and Heyligers Master instruments.
HEYLIGERS CREMONA INSTRUMENTS
Heyligers Cremona instruments have been especially conceived for the advanced student and the budget-minded professional. Not to be confused with conventional "workshop" instruments, these instruments are built with 30-year-old tonewood by Mr. Heyligers' assistants, using his models and patterns under his direct guidance. Once most of the primary woodworking is completed, Mr. Heyligers takes over, personally refining the thicknesses, setting the bass-bar, closing the body, and preparing the instrument for varnishing. Lastly, Mr. Heyligers himself varnishes the instrument and does the set up according to his usual high standards of excellence.
Preliminary arching with a gouge |
Heyligers Cremona violin (detail) |
Mr. Heyligers at work |
This method of construction, used by Stradivari in the late baroque era but rare today, results in what has been defined by teachers and performers as by far the best quality instruments for the price. The use of tonewoods aged close to a third of a century, a time-proven pattern, consistently superlative quality of construction and the direct personal work of Mr. Heyligers during the final stages of construction together ensure the satisfaction of the most demanding musician, at an incredibly competitive price. For this reason each one comes with a complete certificate of authenticity and is is proudly signed by Mathijs A. Heyligers.
Heyligers Cremona instruments are available through selected dealers.
HEYLIGERS MASTER INSTRUMENTS
Heyligers Master instruments are completely made by Mr. Heyligers himself personally. No expense is spared in the painstaking choice of the materials, no energy is spared in the attention to detail, and cost is not an object when the utmost perfection of tonal quality and playability is to be attained. By consequence, only a little more than a half-dozen Heyligers Master instruments between violins, violas, and cellos are made available each year, and the waiting list is generally about two years
During his more than 30 years as a professional violin maker, and in contrast with many makers of new instruments, Mr. Heyligers has rarely dealt with conventional dealers, preferring direct contact with musicians and thus gaining the experience that only this type of contact can afford. Each Heyligers Master instrument is made to order and according to the precise specifications of the client. The aesthetic appearance of the tonewood, the pattern, some measurements and, to a good degree, even the tonal qualities of the instruments may be decided in advance in order to offer the unique satisfaction of having found the instrument which perfectly fits one's personality.
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It therefore does not come as a surprise that rarely a contemporary instrument is as sought-after by professional musicians as a Heyligers, often selling for much more than the original purchase price at international auctions, demonstrating not only their quality as a string instrument, but as a sound investment as well.
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V Violin, M° Heyligers opus 16 anno 1979 |
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Detail of Violin, M° Heyligers opus 110 anno 1988 |
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Violin, M°
Heyligers opus 195 anno 2000 |
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Viola, M°
Heyligers opus 224 anno 2006 |
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Viola
Tenore M.A.Heyligers op.225 2006 |
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© 2008 Mathijs Adriaan Heyligers. All rights reserved. |
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