If you know me personally, you know I just got a new cello. I wanted to make sure I shared it on my website as well! After a lengthy search and after trying eight cellos in total, I picked number eight! My new cello is an amazing instrument by Eugene Holtier of Cleveland, OH. I had the distinct pleasure of working with some excellent, knowledgeable stringed instrument experts at Encore Orchestral Strings of Paige’s Music in Indianapolis, IN. John Rihani and Regina Eddington were wonderful resources with a wealth of knowledge that helped me find the perfect instrument. I am not paid by them to give this recommendation; they deserve all the praise in the world for their expertise. I was very pleased to see the wide variety of instruments that Mr. Rihani (the manager of Encore Orchestral Strings) curates from modern violin makers. As a highly respected individual in the industry of stringed instrument sales, Mr. Rihani has developed relationships with some of America’s finest contemporary instrument makers, and he features their work in his shop. I was lucky enough to acquire one of these fine instruments.
As you can see, Eugene makes a beautiful instrument. Holtier began his career as a violin-maker after moving to the United States from Romania in 1985. Although he did not have much experience in the musical field other than a few years of playing the violin as a child, his previous work as an industrial designer helped him to perfect the art of violin making. Holtier has not practiced the violin since he was a child, but his work shows that makers can create rich sounding instruments without playing them. He said, “A lot of people say how can you make a good instrument if you don’t play it, but you get your senses when you make it”, and is proud that he can measure the quality of his instruments by sound and touch. Living in Cleveland, Holtier cures the home-made varnish in a UV cabinet after rubbing it on with his fingers. Holtier’s instruments contain unique tool marks to display a texture, which he commented on, saying, “It shouldn’t be perfect; it should be just right”. Although he does not keep track of how many instruments he has crafted nor how many have been sold, his instruments have been distributed to various parts of the United States. (Bio from Brobst Violin Shop)
I’ve always wanted to own a cello that was made by a single individual. Knowing that a single person put their heart and soul (and lots of time) into my instrument makes me feel like I have a much more special connection with the tool I use every day. Violins, violas, and cellos are works of art! They are functional sculptures by very talented artists who painstakingly pour over every last detail of their work. I know this to be true from looking at Eugene’s progress photos of my cello.
My dream of owning an instrument made by a single individual having come true has yielded great conversations between me and the maker of my cello. Mr. Holtier and I have talked at length about our opinions of the instrument’s sound, and we are both proud of and ecstatic about the sound of this fine cello. It has an “Italian voice” as Mr. Holtier puts it, and it has a subtle bite at the beginning of each note (particularly in the higher register) that makes for a very pleasing and clear sound. Eugene is a highly skilled artist whose instruments are being played by a number of professional musicians. Perhaps most impressive, one of his instruments is now being played by a cellist in the Cleveland Orchestra. I feel very lucky to get to play on one of Eugene’s instruments, and I have been so very pleased with the sound I have gotten out of my new cello. I am proud to play a Holtier!
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