George Gemünder

George Gemünder was born in 1816 in Germany to a family of Würtemburg makers. He worked for his family’s shop in Germany until his father’s passing in 1935. After spending some years in various German workshops, he moved to Paris in 1843. Here, Gemünder was employed by the famous maker J.B. Vuillaume. At Vuillaume’s shop he gained an impressive foundation in french and cremonese violin making, which he brought with him when he moved to Boston in 1848 and then to New York in 1852. In the U.S. his Parisian training and expertise put him high in demand by American musicians. He gained a strong reputation as a remarkable copyist and a talented artist. His work was so good that he’s often credited with helping to pioneer the production of fine violins in America.

Gemünder won awards at exhibitions held in Paris in 1867, New York in 1870, Vienna in 1873, New Orleans in 1884, Amsterdam in 1883, Nice in 1883 and 1884, and London in 1884 and 1885. He received the Hors Concours in Philadelphia in 1876 and New Orleans in 1885, meaning his work was considered so good it would no longer be considered for competition. Gemünder’s instruments are sought out by players seeking the traditional cremonese sound and brilliant quality of workmanship.