The violin, by mezzo-forte Streichinstrumente, shared the top prize in its category with a wooden instrument by Andeas Haensel

CarbonFibre

A carbon fibre entry has won the violin category of the German Musical Instrument Awards for the first time. The violin (pictured), by German carbon fibre specialists mezzo-forte Streichinstrumente, shares the top prize with a wooden Guarneri violin copy by Andreas Haensel. Organised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the prize will be presented during an awards ceremony at this year’s Musikmesse International Trade Fair in Frankfurt on 17 April.

The judges at the Institute for Musical Instrument Making in Zwota, Saxony based their decision on playing and acoustic tests, and levels of craftsmanship. The ‘Design Line’ carbon-fibre violin stood out ‘thanks to the innovative implementation of the basic idea, the very pleasant sound and the excellent value for money offered’, while the Guarneri replica was honoured for its ‘responsiveness and playability’.

The German Music Instrument Awards have been presented annually in different categories since 1991. This year, prizes were also given in the B-flat trumpet category.

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