Sergio Peresson

Sergio Peresson (1913-1991) was an Italian-born violin maker who is considered one of the most phenomenal makers of the 20th century.

Born in 1913 in Udine, Italy, Sergio made his first violin in 1943 before moving to Caracas, Venezuela, in 1947. There he primarily did repair work for the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra and had a modest production of new instruments. He moved to Philadelphia in 1963 and was employed by William Moennig and Son. It was under the aegis of the Moennig shop that Peresson was finally able to see and copy world class instruments. He fashioned many splendid copies of old masters (among them the 'Spalding' del Ges owned by concertmaster Norman Carol) and gained great notoriety among players. He left Moennig in 1971 and established himself in Haddonfield, New Jersey, until his death in 1992. It is generally acknowledged that Peresson's finest instruments were crafted from about the mid 1970's to the early 1980's.

World class soloists who have owned and performed on "Peresson" instruments include: Isaac Stern, Yehudi Menuhin, Ivan Galamian,Pinchas Zukerman, Norman Carol, Jaime Laredo, Eugene Fodor, Maria Bachmann, Lenuta Ciulei, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Jacqueline du Pré.

Peresson mostly made violins and violas, but his cellos which are tantalizingly rare, are truly exceptional.

Norman Carol, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra and owner of two Peresson violins, called him "the most outstanding maker" in the world.

From 1970, du Pré's primary performance instrument was a "Peresson" cello. Commissioned by her husband Daniel Barenboim in 1970, it was used in the live 1970 recording of the "Elgar Cello Concerto", with Barenboim conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. After du Pré's death in 1987 the instrument passed to Alison Eldridge for a time, and is presently on loan from Barenboim to Kyril Zlotnikov of the Jerusalem String Quartet.

In 1982, Mr. Peresson stopped taking new orders for his instruments because he couldn't meet the demand. There was a waiting list of 180 musicians who had placed orders, said his wife, Margit.

Although his instruments sound like those of the Stradivarius or Guarnerius instruments, Peresson likes to think there is also a distinct Peresson sound. He firmly believes that important elements in any musical instrument are a beautiful and rich tone, carring or projecting power, and being responsive to the fingers of the player. He likens violin making to violin playing, in that with both, the genuinely great can be distinguished easily from the good. Mrs. Peresson sends a message on her late husband's behalf: My instruments are my own model, and in my opinion the principal qualities of an ideal violin, viola or violincello are beauty, quality, eveness and clarity of tone, rich sonority, powerful projection, and quick and easy response.

Quotations

* — referencing Jacqueline du Pré.
* — referencing Margaret Campbell

References

* "Il liutaio Sergio Peresson (1913-1991)", Pizzicato ed. musicali, Udine 2001, written by Lorenzo Nassimbeni
* Wamsley Violins
* Shirakawa Violins