Portrait
Georgi Nikolov, born in Kazanlak in 1997, is a Bulgarian luthier based in Cremona. He makes violins, violas and cellos in both antiqued and modern finishes.
He grew up in a town known for violin making, and his father, Maestro Hristo Nikolov, was a pioneer of Bulgarian lutherie. He began at fourteen, studying for five years at the High School of Fine Arts and Design in Kazanlak, then in 2016 entered the International School of Violin Making Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, admitted straight into the third year and winning the Premio Grandi-Taglietti for best student in 2016 to 2017. He graduated with honours in July 2019. He works to Classical Cremonese models, uses spirit and oil varnishes, and selects well-aged spruce and maple. Every instrument carries his label, fire stamp, logo and certificate of authenticity. He is a member of the Violin Society of America.
His instruments are played by chamber and orchestral musicians in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Georgi is a recent prize-winner in serious competitions and the craftsmanship bears that out. The violin we had was built on a one-piece back of beautiful maple under a golden-brown varnish, with spruce of elegant, thin grain. The tone is warm and rich with a velvety contour to it, a deep and full low end, and a brilliant sweetness at the top. It suits a player working in chamber music or orchestral playing, and at his stage of career the value is considerable.
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 Georgi Nikolov work from?
Classical Cremonese.
Where are Georgi Nikolov instruments made?
In Cremona, Italy. Every instrument is then set up and checked in our own London workshop before it reaches a player.
