Reference by Best National Violin Soloist
2003.05.18
I am most pleased to introduce the best Lithuanian violin makers-repairers couple – Birute and Ceslovas Kulevicius (Birute and Czes Kul).
I know them for over eight years, at the beginning Ceslovas only, when he worked as a violinmaker alone, and after some time them both. In my view, it is very unusual situation that Ceslovas graduated physics and defended a Ph.D. dissertation in Vilnius University, and later started violin making.
Our acquaintance began just before my recital in 1995, when I realized that my violin is not prepared for performance and I did not know, who might be able to put it in good order – violin makers in that times were extremely rare in Lithuania. Just then one my student referred me to Ceslovas. I had doubts as to entrust my violin to someone completely unknown to me. Ceslovas worked approximately for a week, and result was incredible – my violin started with the best sound in our common life!
Some time ago, regretfully, Ceslovas fell ill, so he cannot perform every necessary job, but he taught his wife a violin making trade, so now they afford almost all in violin health maintaining.
Now I would like to say a few words concerning violins they make (create). Until I heard sounds of these new violins I newer thought that new violin could produce such a full, living etc. sounds. These violins sounds loudly, equally, project well even in big halls, and are a pleasure to play. I propose violins, made by this couple of makers to everybody, who require a new, well sounding instrument. In addition, I must to admit, that they made more violas than violins. Probably, their violas are the best sounding among their made instruments. These are highly appreciated not only in Lithuania. As far as I know, just their violas are played in all major Lithuanian orchestras. Again, just now they are making fifth viola for players from National Opera.
It is my pleasure to say, that they made a cello recently. Indeed, it is not a miracle. But just this cello is the first crafted in Lithuania. And maybe the miracle is that this sounding of this cello placed it among the best cellos in Lithuania.
Many words might be said about this couple of violin makers. No doubt, everything I can say is OK. Additionally, they are pleasant, polite, and I always communicate with them with pleasure.
Ingrida Armonaite – Galiniene,
Associate professor, Lithuanian Academy of Music;
Soloist violin player,
First place winner, International competitions of violin players