Petio Kostov 16" viola, #48, Chicago, 2017 | Metzler Violins

operatic, intimate, responsive

About the Instrument
This viola has a lovely, intimate sound while simultaneously resonant and lyrical. Its upper register is responsive, its lower register giving way to well-bodied timbre. Its sound illustrates why this luthier's violas are often sought out by serious players. A lustrous caramel varnish is applied over the two-piece quarter cut maple back, the refined flames shooting out from the center joint like a star. Its scroll is crafted from a similar wood.

Interior label reads: [forthcoming]
Length:
Upper Bouts:
Middle Bouts:
Lower Bouts:

About the Maker
Petio Kostov (1968- ) is a contemporary luthier based in the Chicago area. Kostov was born in Bulgaria, initially studying to be an electrical engineer, knowledge he continues to draw from when considering the acoustics of his instruments. He studied violin making under the master luthier Vladimir Naidenov in Bulgaria. Then, in 1994, Kostov immigrated to the United States to study at the Chicago School of Violin Making, working under Tchu Ho Lee. Upon graduation, Kostov was an instructor at the school for a few years, and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He as a founding member of Classic Violins, a family business serving Chicago-area players. Kostov’s violas, in particular, are sought out for their resonance and beautiful sound.

https://www.classicviolins.com/