Ling Zhenhua viola, 2012, Maggini model, Shanghai | Metzler Violins

warm, nimble, colorful

About the Instrument
This viola has an even yet versatile tonal quality, with a warm clarity. It responds quickly, and is a delight to play. Its mustard varnish is lustrously applied over a tight flame figure rising from the center joint of the two-piece maple back. The neck and scroll are crafted from a similar wood, while the ribs are of a plainer material. This viola has been lovingly antiqued and shaded to honor the original by the 16th century Brescian school luthier Giovanni Paolo Maggini’s original upon which this is modeled.

Interior contains two labels. The first reads: “Paolo Maggini in Brescia,” the other “凌震华，上海 / Ling zhenhua Shanghai 2012 / HB[?]-79-403” as well as the luthier’s signature

Length: 405 mm
Upper Bouts: 177 mm
Middle Bouts: 129 mm
Lower Bouts: 233 mm

About the Maker
Ling Zhenhua (1953- ) is a contemporary luthier who was born in Shanghai. He initially worked as an electrical engineer in Shenzhen, but was also trained as a violinist. He spent a decade in Hong Kong learning violin making, returning to Shanghai in 1995 and opened his own atelier. Ling’s expertise is replicas of the Italian masters, with a particular interest on his varnishes, the recipe for which is a well-guarded secret. He scrutinized the historic varnishes of Italian instruments from mere fragments—the bits he could afford that were available from auction houses in Europe. He has traveled throughout Italy to locate the best woods for his instruments. In the years since, Ling has earned two Gold Medals from the Violin Society of America competitions, and had his instruments purchased by Pinchas Zukerman and played in major symphonies worldwide.