Portrait
Akop Azoyan is a second-generation violin maker based in the heart of Cremona. Born into a musical family, he produces a small number of instruments each year and values aesthetics and acoustic quality equally.
He graduated from the Violin Making School of Cremona and works in the manner of the old Cremonese masters, including from Guarneri del Gesu models such as the "Baltic". A large part of his practice is research: he studies the varnishes, grounds and techniques of the old Cremonese makers in order to understand what produced their results, and applies that directly at the bench. He is equally particular about wood, sourcing and handpicking material himself on the understanding that the choice is decisive for resonance.
His instruments are played by professional musicians in Italy and the United Kingdom.
Akop's output is small, which is the first thing to know about buying one. The research into varnish and ground shows in the finish, and the instruments have the depth of colour that only comes from that kind of patience. Combined with his care over wood selection, the results are contemporary Cremonese making in the most literal sense: not a copy of the tradition but a continuation of the method behind it.
Elsewhere
Compare instruments against each other, and against an antique, in a blind test with studio audio. No labels until you have chosen.
What models does Akop Azoyan work from?
Guarneri del Gesu, including the "Baltic".
Where are Akop Azoyan instruments made?
In Cremona, Italy. Every instrument is then set up and checked in our own London workshop before it reaches a player.
How much does an Akop Azoyan instrument cost?
Instruments by Akop Azoyan currently start at around £25,000. Price varies with model, wood and whether the instrument is antiqued. We can give you an exact figure for anything currently in the showroom.
