Peter Westerlund

Peter Westerlund is a Swedish luthier with the largest output in Swedish history: over 450 violins, violas and cellos in forty years of making.

Volume of that kind is very unusual for a maker working without assistants. He was awarded H.M. The King's Medal for his contribution to Swedish violin making. He works from Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu, and his del Gesu instruments show elements of the late style, with pronounced f-holes and antiquing that reads convincingly close to the originals, while remaining recognisably his own.

His instruments are played by professional musicians throughout Scandinavia and, increasingly, in the United Kingdom.

Our collaboration with Peter is recent and both violins so far have been a pleasure. The first, a Stradivari model with beautifully flamed maple under a golden-amber varnish, was powerful and clear, with a bright, responsive E string and a rich, resonant G, effortlessly playable and with a range of tonal possibilities that evoke the finest antique Italian instruments. The second, a del Gesu with a one-piece back, is warm and round with plenty of power, and its resonance and playability would suit chamber or orchestral work equally. For a maker with his output, the consistency is the striking thing.