|
Tradition
The 350 years of tradition of making musical instruments give the music town Markneukirchen its image and coin the history. In the middle of the 17th century, Bohemian exiles came to the Upper Vogtland, among them violin makers from Graslitz (today Kraslice). These are the roots for Markneukirchen as a centre of musical instrument making. An important cornerstone in the history of the music town was the year 1677. In this year, the making of musical instruments in Vogtland was born, when 12 "respectable and artistic" violin makers from Markneukirchen got the official confirmation for their guild. This was the first guild of violin makers in Germany. Today it is the oldest still-existing guild of violin makers in Germany. The memorial of the violin maker in front of the Museum of Musical Instruments reminds us of these 12 ancestors. It is the symbol of the town. With the development of making stringed and plucked instruments, the branch of string-making arose in the beginning of the 18th century. In 1777, they founded their own guild, also the first in Germany. After 1850 the whole production of musical instruments in Vogtland took a leading position in the world market. Soon after, they also learned to produce woodwind and brass instruments. Already in the second half of the 18th century, that means in the time of Mozart, you could buy all orchestral instruments in Markneukirchen. They also produced accessories in town like strings, cases, bows and so on. It began an intensive trade of musical instruments. The town became the centre of German musical instrument making and was well known in the world of music. Furthermore, all other components and accessories for the instruments that are produced in the music region of Vogtland are made in the Markneukirchen area. Batons and drumsticks, music toys, classical and modern percussion instruments and the instruments by Orff complete the array of products. The more than 300 years of experience of the Vogtland master workshops not only continued but are also continually being developed. The treasure of experience, skills of the ancestors and the application of fine-hearing over generations make the instruments from the music region high quality gems. During a visit to Markneukirchen it is a special event to get to know and to watch a maker of musical instruments in his workshop. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance. The Erlebniswelt Musikinstrumentenbau® organizes guided tours through traditional workshops for musicians, orchestras and everybody who loves music together with an individual itinerary. More information under 037422/402950.
|
