About this instrument
This violin by Yuri Pochekin was made in Moscow in 1994. It combines a cleanly defined, classically proportioned body with luminous orange-gold varnish. The strongly flamed two-piece back, lively figure of the ribs and carefully carved scroll give it a distinctive yet harmonious appearance. The warm brown fittings provide a restrained contrast to the dark fingerboard and the golden hue of the wood. The gallery offers detailed views of the front, back and both sides.
Pochekin’s path to violin making is closely linked to his musical training: he studied violin and string quartet at the Gnessin Academy in Moscow before devoting himself entirely to instrument making. Following successes in competitions in the Soviet Union, he continued his training at the International School of Violin Making in Cremona. His teachers included Francesco Bissolotti and Giobatta Morassi. In 1979, one of his violas was awarded a bronze medal at the Cremona Triennale. A further period of training took him to Přemysl Otakar Špidlen in Prague in 1980. This instrument is therefore the work of a violin maker whose experience brings together Russian musical training, Cremonese craftsmanship and the Prague tradition of violin making.
The violin offered here dates from his period of work in Moscow. Particularly appealing is the interplay between the even grain of the table and the pronounced flame of the back. The transparency of the varnish allows the figure of the wood to stand out clearly; the side views show the profile of the arching, the purfling and the sweep of the ribs. These details invite a closer appreciation of the instrument beyond the front view alone.
The linked sound portrait presents the violin in performance, complementing the photographs with a musical impression. The film also presents an instrument passport and a Moscow state expert report from 1999. When listening, it is worth noting the transitions between registers, the articulation and the development of sustained notes. How the response and sound suit one’s own bow and individual playing style can be experienced directly in a trial.
The violin is available to view and try by appointment at Patera Violins in Hildesheim. We will be pleased to explain the accompanying documentation and answer any questions about the instrument. Price range: €12,000–25,000; the exact price is available on request.