Aitchison & Mnatzaganian Cello Specialists

Thank you Matthew Sharp for your lovely post and video of your thriving Montagnana copy by Robin Aitchison

We've just published our latest newsletter, featuring an interview with Gillian Thoday, renowned cellist and teacher, and two of her students, Jonathan Dormand and Lara Moore. You can view the full online version of the article here: https://www.aitchisoncellos.com/ŌĆ”/gilli an-thoday-interviews/ and a pdf of the newsletter here. http://www.aitchisoncellos.com/ŌĆ”/Spring -News-for-Cellists-2ŌĆ” Happy Spring!

The Academy of Ancient Music has just published 'The Cello Maker' - a film about Robin's cello making, which is Gramophone Magazine's video of the day. Congratulations and huge thanks to Alexander van Ingen and film director Jessie Rodgers for their beautiful film. Sound track: a new recording by Nicolas Altstaedt and the Academy of Ancient Music of the second movement of Haydn's Symphony No 13. You can also view the film via our website at http://www.aitchisoncellos.com/gallery/vi deo-gallery/

The Academy of Ancient Music has just published this beautiful film about Robin's cello making. Huge thanks to them for their stunning work, which is Gramophone Magazine's Video of the Day today. Congratulations to Alexander van Ingen and Jessie Rodger.

We're very excited to share with you Gramaphone Magazine's video of the day, The Cello Maker, featuring Robin Aitchison, directed by Jessie Rodger and produced by Alexander van Ingen!

Matthew Sharp is a phenomenal cellist with an extraordinary ability to draw monumental, heart-expanding sounds from his happy, well loved Montagnana copy by Robin Aitchison.

Our specialist article this month focuses on how to maintain your bridge in optimal condition. You can read the bridge care article here https://www.aitchisoncellos.com/ŌĆ”/pract iŌĆ”/cello-bridge-care/ and the whole February News for Cellists newsletter is here: http://www.aitchisoncellos.com/ŌĆ”/Februa ry-News-for-CellistsŌĆ”

Please sign and share - thank you. The UK Ivory bill became an Act on 20th December. As soon as it passes into law towards the end of 2019, all owners of elephant ivory-tipped bows for stringed instruments will have to first register their instruments and then obtain permits in order for them to be allowed to be sold outside the UK. To obtain these permissions, owners will need to provide proof - often difficult to obtain - that their bows were made before 1975.
The music co...mmunity fully supports measures to tackle the illegal trade in ivory and the poaching of elephants. It is well known, however, that bows are no longer made using elephant ivory and are not connected to elephant ivory trafficking. The time and expense involved for those in the music professions as well as the authorities will be huge and quite burdensome, without providing any countervailing conservation benefit. These resources would be far better spent on tackling the true sources of poaching and trafficking. If you would be willing to take a moment to sign the petition it would much appreciated by all, especially by the many musicians and makers who depend on bows for their livelihoods.
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New Year new cello. Time for Robin to build rib structures and fit linings to the latest commission: a copy of the ex-Pergamenschikow Montagnana.

We wish you a very happy Christmas from beautiful Jerusalem.

Unmissable cello concert: the Glories of Venice at the Royal Academy of Music, London at 7pm on Sunday 25 November, an awe inspiring line-up of world class virtuoso cellists and a collection of the greatest Venetian cellos on the planet: Montagnana cellos played by Ralph Kirshbaum, Raphael Wallfisch, Guy Johnston and Boris Adrianov; a rare Sanctus Serafin played by Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the iconic Casals Goffriller cello played by Amit Peled. For true aficionados, there is ...a talk at 5pm by cellist Justin Pearson during which Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Guy Johnston and Laura Van der Heijden will perform a Popper trio. Tickets in all price ranges are available (┬Ż10-┬Ż30) using this link: https://www.londoncellos.org/product-caŌĆ ”/ŌĆ”/glories-of-venice We really look forward to seeing you at this wonderful London Cello Society event. For more information: https://www.londoncellos.org/ŌĆ”/glories- of-veniceŌĆ”/1543165200 #ShekuKM #celloJohnston #L_vd_Heijden #Londoncellos
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We recently visited the ex-Pergamenschikow Montagnana cello so that Robin could compare the arching and varnish of the original with his latest copy while he was finalising its varnish and patina. It was a lovely afternoon and the cellos looked very happy together. https://www.aitchisoncellos.com/cellos-by ŌĆ”/montagnana-model/

Our latest article focuses on preparing for orchestral auditions, with advice from principal cellists Kristina Blaumane, Tim Gill, Rebecca Gilliver and Nicholas Trygstad as well as John Heley, co-principal of the Acadmy of St Martin in the Fields for 29 years and Professor Jo Cole, head of strings at the Royal Academy of Music. You can read this article online at https://www.aitchisoncellos.com/ŌĆ”/pract icaŌĆ”/cello-auditions/ or by viewing our latest newsletter Autumn News for Cellists 2018 here: https://www.aitchisoncellos.com/publicati ons/newsletters/on: @nbtrygstad @the_halle @RoyalAcadMusic ŌĆÅ@ASMForchestra ŌĆÅ@rpoonline @LPOrchestra @Ldn_Sinfonietta @londonsymphony

Aitchison & Daughter. Here's our daughter Ursie, taking a relaxed approach to walnut crystal application on a copy of a Montagnana scroll. In the other picture, her dad is putting the finishing touches to the varnish of his latest Marquis de Corberon Stradivari copy which has since been collected by its talented new owner.

We're back in the workshop after a relaxing time on the Walton backwaters with family and friends. Robin did take two scrolls there to work on...

If youŌĆÖve never seen anyone dancing the Tango with a Montagnana copy, watch this video! Matthew Sharp has arranged PiazzollaŌĆÖs Libertango for his new album Rough Magic coming out in October. Fabulous multi-angle camerawork and multi-track recording, showing Matthew and his Aitchison Montagnana copy at work. Matthew told us: ŌĆśThis cello occupies a frequency which can always be heard and allows me to channel my musical intentions in a focussed, fabulous, sensual way.ŌĆÖ
Producer - Ben Robbins Video and Cajon - Graham Instrall To be published by Edition Peters Sounds in October 2018 @mattdjsharp @EditionPetersUK

Here's Robin cutting f holes for a Montagnana copy, referring to enlarged photos of the original. It's important to Robin that his f holes express all the idiosyncratic flavour and personality of the original instrument. Montagnana's f holes have a powerful visual impact rather than a pure classical appeal. Robin particularly loves the asymmetry of the circles and the way the wings approach the circles with such enormous energy.

Future Talent support gifted young musicians from low income backgrounds. They are inviting applications now for the 2018-19 programme and the closing date is 11 June. See their video here or check out https://www.futuretalent.org/ More info below:
Future TalentŌĆÖs Young Musicians Development Programme offers financial support and development opportunities to young musicians; instrumentalists and singers from ANY genre of music, based anywhere in the UK, from challenging ...circumstances. This is typically families who have a household income of ┬Ż30,500 per year, or less, before tax (incl. benefits).
Financial support, between ┬Ż200 and ┬Ż3,000, can be used on anything that will help nurture a young musicianŌĆÖs talent. For example, funds can be used for lessons, a new instrument or case, courses, maintenance or sheet music.
The Programme runs in line with the academic year and aims to offer each musician: ŌĆó Financial support of up to ┬Ż1,000 per year. ŌĆó Individual music and career advice from Future TalentŌĆÖs Relationship Manager. ŌĆó Mentoring sessions with a music professional relevant to the young musicianŌĆÖs instrument, genre or musical interests. ŌĆó Opportunities to perform with the Future Talent Orchestra or another musical ensemble. ŌĆó Performance opportunities in Future Talent Masterclasses. ŌĆó An invitation to participate in a confidence and body language workshop.
Future TalentŌĆÖs Fledgling Awards are also offered to young musicians showing great promise at the beginning of their musical education, but who may have to give up music entirely due to financial constraints.
Future Talent is now accepting applications for its 2018/19 Young Musicians Development Programme, and the closing date is 12 noon on Monday 11 June 2018.
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