Executive Summary

Centuries ago, matched sets of stringed instruments were produced for orchestras supported and employed by a specific patron. When all the instruments were crafted by one master luthier, the sound produced by the orchestra was a rich and unique unity of tone and blend. This type of unique sound has not been produced in a full symphonic setting yet.

Master luthier Anton Krutz and his shop are uniquely suited to craft such a set of instruments for a full symphony orchestra in one year. Krutz has an international reputation for creating instruments of the highest quality. Unlike many luthiers, however, Krutz's skills and reputation cross the full spectrum of string instruments. He not only produces violins and violas of the highest quality, but cellos and basses as well. A full set of Krutz instruments, played by a single symphony orchestra, will produce a sound never before heard: a unison of string voices that, in smaller ensembles, is known to result in a richness of overtones that come from the interaction of sound reverberating among like instruments.

These uniquely crafted new stringed instruments will constitute a one-of-a-kind collection of instruments. The instruments can be donated to one orchestra or used by multiple orchestras.

The Symphonic Set will:
 

• Be the catalyst for imagination on a level that that has not been experienced for three centuries.

• Create national and international publicity with a world premiere featuring the set

• Become an exclusive sponsorship with performances using perfect-blend instruments;

• Enhance the sponsor’s reputation by the historical and acoustic significance of the set.

These benefits, explained in depth below, will continue and in fact get stronger for decades to come as the Symphonic Set becomes well known. But unlike all other sponsorships which quickly become outdated, the Symphonic Set -  26 violins, 11 violas, 9 cellos and 7 basses -  is timeless and has only one upfront cost of $856,500.

The Symphonic Set would be truly out-of-the-ordinary in that neither a single luthier nor shop has created a matched set of stringed instruments on a large scale since the late 1600's. Since then, several individual craftsmen and shops have constructed small complements of stringed instruments in trios or quartets. No craftsmen or shop has created a large-scale collection the size of a symphonic-sized set.

 

The unison of sound of centuries past can be reborn with a new matched set of symphonic string instruments played by a full modern day symphony orchestra. With each instrument in this Symphonic Set rivaling those of the Italian masters, the Symphonic Set will bring forth sounds and emotions more powerful than ever imagined.

 

Introduction

Throughout the millennia the emotion produced by the human singing voice has transcended all nationalities and cultures. But despite all our modern technology, the instruments of the violin family are the only man-made objects that come closest to communicating the colors and rich timbers of a singing human voice. The vibrations coming from a great violin in the hands of a great Musicians' Touches the deepest part of human emotion. So the distinction of the violin lies in its ability to mysteriously emulate the human voice while being made out of wood. The Italian master luthiers knew the secrets to this mystery.

 

When matched sets of Italian master instruments were played in the courts of kings and other nobility, sometimes audiences would faint from the swell of emotion caused by the unique unison of sound emanating from the chamber orchestras. This new sound inspired the intuitive mind and was a catalyst for creativity. That is why the birth of incredible innovation during the renaissance happened right after the first violin family of instruments appeared.

 

Benefits
 

Classical music transcends all generations and is a shared cultural experience throughout the world. Patrons that are closely associated with classical music and instruments have an image that implies culture and excellence. Once the Symphonic Set is premiered, the set’s sponsor will be the sole owner of this truly unique image.

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World Premiere

In this new century people are looking for a unique, relevant and uplifting cultural event to associate with this time in human history. The premiere of the Symphonic Set can be that event. Many respected music critics can be invited to this unprecedented event. Whether the unique sound produced will be better or just different is a debate the critics can (and will) wage to the sponsor’s benefit.

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Exclusive Sponsorship

The Symphonic Set can be named in your honor. When the Symphonic Set is used it will be mentioned in all press and concert literature and promotions. This is a stark contrast from the customary routine of classical music sponsors. Sponsors typically donate money and get their name mentioned a few times in return. With the Symphonic Set, there will be widespread media attention, and every note played will allude to this unique sponsorship.

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Finally, symphony orchestras making recordings are all trying to bring some sort of uniqueness to the same classical works. But no one major orchestra has a distinct advantage in name recognition over another for the quality of its sound in the minds of the consumer. The Symphonic Set will have a superior blend with extraordinary clarity, which will produce acoustical heights unparalleled in recording history. Recordings of movie soundtracks and standard classical works can be made anew using the Symphonic Set.

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Historical and Acoustic Significance

In centuries past, royalty, nobleman and other patrons of the arts throughout Europe commissioned master luthiers to create entire sets of stringed instruments for musical performances. The most well know of these craftsmen were Italian Masters such as Andrea Amati and his successor Antonio Stradivari. King Charles the IX of France ordered 38 instruments from Amati in the year 1560 and The Duke of Savoy ordered a whole set of instruments from Stradivarius in 1685. So did King Charles III of Spain, who ordered a small chamber group from his shop in 1707. The beauty of these instruments and the incredible quality of their sound made Italian luthiers Amati and Stradivari legendary in the history of music and musical instrument making.

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However, the beautiful unison of instrumental voice unique to ensembles using sets of instruments has been lost for centuries. As individual freedom and independence increased, individual musicians gained the ability to choose and buy their own instruments from an array of choices.

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In the modern symphony orchestra, the individuality of each stringed instrument can be heard and seen. This is because each instrument is produced by a different luthier with different models, arches, graduations, rib heights, methods of construction, and varnishes. These seemingly subtle differences produce instruments with different timbre, loudness, resonance and overtones, resulting in a dissonance of voice among the instruments.

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The perfect blend of string voices in a major symphony orchestra has never been achieved. However, if one master luthier were to produce all the instruments used by a symphony orchestra, following the same acoustic and aesthetic principles, then the instruments will have a totally unique blend. Each section, violins through basses, will also blend with the other sections. It will be like a single voice that holds the full acoustic spectrum within itself.

 

The premier of the Symphonic Set will be viewed as promoting the arts, all the while garnering the sponsor an image that cannot be attained with any other type of sponsorship. No symphony orchestra in history has ever performed on such a set of instruments. Music enthusiasts will hear the sound of a "perfect blend", played on the Symphonic Set, for the very first time.