February 7, 2011

Janelle Harrington

Taiwan

"Dear Mr. Duff, I am a proud owner of one of your bows and I have to say I love that bow so much. I refuse to use anything else. I just wanted to touch base with you because I need to get my bow rehaired. At this moment I am living in Taiwan so I will be back in the U.S. in March for a few weeks. Could you please tell me how much it costs to get rehaired? How long do you need to do this? Since my time is very limited, I want to see if I have time this time when I am back in the U.S. Thanks so much for all your help. It is good to see you are coming out with more beautiful designs for your bows. They look breath taking" :)

Janelle Harrington

January 27, 2011

Federico Agostini

Violinist
Professor of Music
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, Indiana

"Michael Duff creates bows that are the fruit of greatest scientific knowledge, wonderful craftsmanship and, above all, artistic intuitiveness of the highest standing. For many years I have been a proud owner of a Berg bow and play it all the time. The beautiful finish and incredible wood-like appearance of the stick, the elegance of the fittings and, most importantly for a performer, the purity of the sound, the balance and overall playability, make my Berg bow a highlight in my collection. It is one of the best balanced bows I have, a real "extension" of my right arm. I believe that instruments of this quality represent the best alternative to the greatest, yet extremely expensive, vintage bows out on the market. Highly recommended!"

Federico Agostini

November 27, 2010

Timothy Lees

Concert Master of Cincinnati Symphony

"Michael, I am writing this to thank you for the superb Tourte-Voirin model Berg bow you crafted for me several months ago. I am continually stunned by the beauty of the stick itself, but more importantly the amazingly resonant and focused sound it produces. The bow is absolutely reliable in any and all performance situations and its amazing qualities have been noticed by numerous of my colleagues. I can honestly say it is one of the best bows I have ever played…period. Since purchasing the bow in the summer of 2010 and some 30 solo, orchestral and chamber concerts later, it has become my main performing bow and I expect it to remain so for a long time. Thank you for your expertise in crafting such a superb bow…it is the perfect match for my 1845 J.B. Vuillaume violin. I couldn’t be happier!"

Timothy Lees

October 19, 2010

Ken Watkin

United Kingdom

"Dear Michael. I am writing to say how pleased I am with the Tourte-Voirin viola bow that you recently made for me. It really is such a "complete " bow with amazing qualities. I feel that there is nothing that it cannot do and I am being treated to a "in-service training course" where the bow is teaching me how to unlock it's secrets. Such stability and smooth legato, combined with instant attack and a reliable spiccatto, makes for a hugely rewarding bowing experience. I get excited every time I take it out to play. Thank you so much, I am your fan for life."

Ken Watkin

October 17, 2010

Earl Carlyss

Juillard Quartet & professor of violin,
Julliard School of music

"Congratulations to you! This bow is a real winner. For me it has the perfect combination of weight, balance, strength and buoyancy and helps to produce a glorious sound on my instrument. Thank you for producing such a gem!"

Earl Carlyss

September 29, 2010

Charles Bingham

Assistant Concertmaster Bilbao Symphony Orchestra
Violin Professor Musikene, San Sebastian, Spain
Head of Strings, Musikene

"I like very much the new Tourte-Voirin model Berg bow. It has an old wine sound and dances like the finest etoiles. All the Beaux Arts are contained in this remarkable violin bow. My colleagues at the conservatory say that one would have to pay 40,000 to 60.000 euros in Germany to find a bow like that. It is simply incredible!! Thank you for putting your heart into it Michael."

Charles Binghan

September 7, 2010

Nelson Armitano

Principal viola, and soloist,
Orquesta de Cordoba, Cordoba Spain

" The first time I came in touch with a Berg bow was with a violin model. I immediately fell in love not only with the beauty of the work but also with its incredible sound. I had to wait a few years before I could order one. My Delux model is as fantastic and reliable as I expected it to be and has made me the happiest of players. Its sound, clear - powerful and beautiful - and its versatility in all ranges and types of playing makes it the perfect bow for me. I don't exaggerate when I say that this is the best acquisition I have made in my many years as a player."

Nelson Armitano

August 31, 2010

Jeffrey Krieger

Principal Cello
Hartford Symphony Orchestra

" The gold mounted cello bow that has been the primary bow I have been performing on for the past 11 years is truly amazing. I can fully rely on it for all the subtle properties I expect. I highly recommend these beautiful bows to the serious performer."

Jeffrey Krieger

January 21, 2010

Jaime Laredo

Professor Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University,
violinist Kaltckstein, Laredo, Robinson Trio

" I have been the proud owner of beautiful gold Fleur-de-lis Berg violin bow for many years and have been extremely happy with it. However, the new 'Tourte-Voirin' model which I commissioned recently is really astonishing. Its special flexural and sound quality is as good ad most great French bows that I have performed with. It excels in its remarkable steadiness on the strings.

I couldn't be happier with its qualities! It is also a stunningly beautiful looking bow, superbly crafted."

Jaime Laredo

January 07, 2010

Mimi Zweig

Professor of violin and viola
Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music

"I have been playing Berg Bows since 1985 and have many of them in my bow collection. The latest model is quite remarkable. I first played it this past summer (2009) and after a few minutes I was in love. It felt completely natural and it was capable of doing anything. Also it looks very beautiful and is superbly crafted."

Mimi Zweig

January 07, 2010

Csaba Erdelyi

Internationally renowned Viola Soloist,
Quartet Violist, Principal Violist,
Professor of Viola and Chamber Music

"I am the happy owner of two deluxe Berg viola bows, one silver and one gold, made for me by master bow maker Michael F. Duff in Bloomington, Indiana.

I consider it a special privilege to be able to collaborate with living masters who create "tailor-made" violas and bows to suit my style of playing and personality.

Michael and I have been "talking bows" for over twenty years. IN the beginning he asked to borrow my fine Sartory and Vigneron bows for analysis and study.

Berg bows are made of special resins molded into bow shape under high pressure and temperature. For the viola bow that I commissioned I was able to meet with Mr. to discuss important details of the hand finishing, for example, weight, balance, and especially the head, which he shaped according to my wishes.

Because of Mr. Duff's mastery each of his bows is made unique. They look just as beautiful as my precious old pernambuco wood bows. Berg bows make a wonderful deep rich sound, and handle all styles of music superbly. I play my gold mounted Berg bow with great pleasure every day."

Csaba Erdelyi

January 07, 2010

Augustin Hadelich

Soloist,
Winner 2006 Indianapolis Violin Competition

"Michael, the Berg bow crafted by you and awarded to me, as one of the prizes for winning the gold medal at the Indianapolis International Violin Competition in 2006, is excellent. The sound is very beautiful, and the bow has great balance. It always does exactly what you want it to, resulting in clean crisp articulation. I love performing with it."

Augustin Hadelich

January 07, 2010

Uli Widmaier

"Dear Michael, my Gulli-model deluxe Berg violin bow, which I ordered from you in 2006, is doing wonderfully well. It is far - and I mean FAR -superior to my Sartory, not only in handling but also in sound production. I have completely stopped using the Sartory, and I will probably sell it.

My daughter now needs a really good violin bow as well. There is no alternative to your bows. Therefore I would like to order a deluxe one from you, for her."

Uli Widmaier

Eduard Melkus of Baden Austria

"Michael, Your new Tourte-Voirin model Berg violin bow arrived today-it is a wonder-a true fairy bow, it dances over the strings. It produces the sweetest sound from my violin. Should I refer to it as “ He” or “She”? I prefer “She – I find her like a ballet primadonna – a Margot Fontain of bows, or a Nureyev, in which case I shall I shall use “He”. The mail took me by surprise, but what a pleasant one! I have never experienced such a delight in meeting a new bow and have played many fine bows over my career. As you know, for over twenty years I have performed with only your bow, which I bought in Exeter, England. Meeting the new one today was such an inspiration that I at once tried all sorts of sophisticated bowings, and it worked immediately on all. I can’t stress too much “His” beauty, this is evident with all of your bows. Did I tell you that the distinguished German violin maker Schade from Halle (the famous Handel city) did not believe me when I told him your bow was not pernambuco wood! Back to “His” or “Her ’qualities – she is like a younger sister to my older Berg bow, dancing over the strings and giving fun, joy and pleasure. Michael, I have never in all my life written anything like this, not about any bow, or violin, but with your surprise parcel I became really enthusiastic and had to write from my soul and heart. I have already decided to go on playing and concertizing , just to enjoy for a longer time my new love! THANK YOU! God bless your hands and your genius. "

Ever your Eduard

David Matheu Haskell - Bell of Spain

Former student of famous violist Rivka Golani

"Michael I performed an orchestral concert with my new bow just ten minutes after receiving it. I really think it is an excellent bow, able to bounce clearly and escape fast from the string. It produces a deep and earthy sound, a "paste" sound we violists would say. Many thanks for your excellent work. The final result is much better than I ever expected. "

David Matheu Haskell

Yohei Nakajima

"Thank you very much for the new bow I received it last week, and I absolutely love the bow. It has fantastic flexible control and any bow strokes are easier and more brilliant, and can create many more different color in sounds. I just love the bow.

Also good news,, I won a chamber music competition (in String Trio) yesterday with the new bow! It made a fantastic sound and created wonderful music.

I will recommend the bow to all my friends, musicians,,, "

Yohei Nakajima

The Late Joseph Gingold

Distinguished Profesor Emeritus of Music,
Indiana University

"My Dear Mr. Duff, I enjoyed playing with the Berg violin bow and found it to be of excellent quality. I hope that it will meet with the success it deserves."

Joseph Gingold

Arnold Steinhardt

Violinist, Principal Violinist,
Guarneri Quartet, U.S.A.

"I am delighted with the Berg Bow. It is strong yet supple, bounces well and pulls a good sound out of the violin. In short, it does what a bow is supposed to do. Congratulations on your fine work."

Arnold Steinhardt

The Late Yfrah Neaman O.B.E., F.G.S.M.

Soloist & Professor,
Guidhall School of Music & Drama,
London, England

"The more I use my Berg Bow, the more I have come to appreciate and admire its playing qualities and its refined craftsmanship."

Yfrah Neaman

Jaime Laredo

Conductor, Soloist and Violinist,
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio,
West Brattleboro, Vermont

"I find my Berg bow has everything a good bow needs, strength, suppleness, good balance and a warm sound. It's been a good friend and companion on stage!"

Jaime Laredo

Peter Schaffer

Soloist & Professor,
University of Illinois,

"The Berg Bow is fully equal to the bows of the French masters, both in appearance and performance quality. I have played my Berg Bows under all conditions; orchestral, chamber music and solo concerts. They have excellent balance, fast response, very clear articulation and well focused, big sound. It is of great merit that one can choose a Berg Bow with the weight and resilience to satisfy personal preferences."

Peter Schaffer

Emanuel Borok

Soloist & Concertmaster,
Dallas Symphony, Texas

"I have had a Berg Bow for many years and have enjoyed playing it as Concertmaster. I cannot deny that one of the pleasures it gives me is to see the expression on people's faces, when I tell them it isn't pernambuco. Not to mention the sense of security, safety, and increase of zeal I get when I see the notation, 'col loegno,' in my orchestral part."

Emanuel Borok

Jean Piguet

Principal Concertmaster,
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Switzerland

"I am very appreciative of my Berg violin bow because the bows have excellent balance, tonal power, reliability and play with ease; all in one very affordable (and truly unbreakable) bow!"

Jean Piguet

Earl Carlyss

Violinist, Juillard Quartet & Professor of Music,
Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, Maryland

"My Gold Fleur-de-Lys Berg Bows make my Guarneri sound so strong and rich. I love their consistency and balance. I would even go so far as to say that I have yet to find a bow at any price that makes my instrument sound better."

Jean Piguet

Igor Ozim

Soloist & Professor of Violin,
Hochschule, Koln, Germany & Conservatoire, Berne, Switzerland

"The Berg violin bow is particularly good at all off string bowings, like staccato or ricochet, due to its clean articulation. It is fully equal to a fine French bow. I have been playing my Berg Bows with my Stradivarius violin in my concerts in preference to three magnificent F. Tourte violin bows."

Igor Ozim

Gerald Fischbach

Director, International Workshops & Professor of Music,
University of Maryland

"The Berg Bow is an extraordinary breakthrough. Mr. Duff recently sent me two bows. One reminds me of a fine Voirin in the way it embraces the strings; the other one is more Pecatte-like in its articulation and feel. I bought the "Pecatte". Both exhibit an almost startling lack of idiosyncrasy in response. The bow arm is liberated from the continuous little compensations for a shiver here, a thin spot there, that we've come to expect to deal with, even with the finest bows. This is not a bow you have to get used to; it inspires confidence and relaxation. From the first stroke you understand that it will do what you ask it to. The Berg Bow offers a highly centered, clear voice of great integrity & expressiveness. I enjoy working within its world of sound and especially appreciate the easy strength of its voice in the upper quarter, where so many bows thin out in sound."

Gerald Fischbach

The Late Franco Gulli

Soloist & Distinguished Professor of Music,
Indiana University

"I wish to express my total admiration to Michael Duff for his beautiful, excellent performing violin bows. I am happy to own one which I play with greatest pleasure."

Franco Gulli

The Late Rostislav Dubinsky

Founder of The Borodin Quartet & Trio,
Director of Chamber Music
Indiana University

"My Berg violin bows are the bows of my dreams. They have no performance limitations, responding immediately with their bigger brighter sound, which is equal from the frog to the tip. I find that their reliability engenders greater relaxation and freedom and therefore improved sound making and left hand technique. I have put my fine gold mounted Sartory away forever because it no longer satisfies me. Now I play my Berg Bows in recording sessions and in concerts all over the world."

Rostislav Dubinsky

Isidor Saslav

Director of String Studies,
Stephen F. Austin University
Nacogdoches, Texas

"My Berg violin bow is absolutely amazing, astonishing and incredible. This bow is an absolute godsend - I can't imagine a better one made by anyone. The sound that this bow draws in the upper quarter without any extra trouble or pressure has to be experienced to be believed. It effortlessly produces a beautiful focused tone which is even in quality from the frog all the way to the tip. It has exemplary quality in the special bowings and delights and astonishes the performer constantly."

Isidor Saslav

Ruggiero Ricci

World Renowned Violinist & Professor of Violin,
Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria

"The Berg violin bow has excellent balance. It produces a strong well focused sound. The taper is very refined. I consider it to be of excellent quality and value."

Ruggiero Ricci

Klaus Eichholz

Soloist & Professor of Violin,
Hochschule fur Musik, Graz, Autria

"I have been performing with my Berg violin bow for some years now and I can highly recommend it. It excels in spiccato, sautille, ricochet and in cantilena as well. In the former bowings it jumps effortlessly while in cantilena passages it is very steady on the strings."

Klaus Eichholz

Tadeusz Wronski

Professor of Music,
Academy of Music, Warsaw, Poland

"The many Berg violin bows I have played look beautiful and perform wonderfully in the special bowings and produce a strong even sound. I play my Berg Bow with pleasure and will recommend them to my students because they are modestly priced yet equal in performance to the finest French bows."

Tadeusz Wronski

Jerry Horner

Violist, retired,
Fine Arts Quartet,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

' I am delighted that Michael Duff of Berg Bows has recently begun to release his viola bows after years of design and experimentation. I find that they compare with fine pernambuco bows costing much more. In fact it is rare to discover a modern bow which brings out the best in the finest modern and old instruments alike. The Berg viola bows succeed admirably. Bravo to Mr. Duff for adding these beautiful bows to his eminently successful bows for violin and cello.'

Jerry Horner

Walter Grimmer

Soloist & Professor of Cello,
Conservatory of Music, Zurich, Switzerland

"The many Berg violin bows I have played look beautiful and perform wonderfully in the special bowings and produce a strong even sound. I play my Berg Bow with pleasure and will recommend them to my students because they are modestly priced yet equal in performance to the finest French bows."

Tadeusz Wronski

Janos Starker

Soloist & Distinguished Professor of Music,
Indiana University

"As far as I'm concerned, the idea of the Berg Bow is a valid one. Considering the great improvement it shows during the years, I believe that it will serve well many cellists now and in the future."

Janos Starker

John Harrison

Violinist, Montclaire String Quartet

"It is a pleasure to use my Berg Bow. Although Berg Bows are commended especially for their playability it is the sound of the bow that makes me love it. Somehow, it brings out the strongest, most varied, prettiest and sophisticated sound with my violin. Of course, playability is also outstanding."

John Harrison

William Conable

Soloist & Professor of Cello
Ohio State University

"I want to tell you how excited I am about the bow I bought. Things that had been difficult to control before, just popped out so clean and easy I couldn't believe it. Last week, I played a recital and many people who have heard me play for years raved about my sound - including the head of the voice department, the opera director and the band conductor. Our violinist has been talking all week about how wonderful the bow makes me sound. I have made the Berg Bow my first bow and put my Tourte in the box."

William Conable

Warren Davidson

Concertmaster, Recitalist, Teacher
Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania

"Adding my voice to Csaba Erdelyi's and others: the Berg is not only the best composite bow available, they sound better than any other bow I have tried. At the International Viola Congress , I did some blind taste tests against bows by Emile Ouchard ($15K!), Tubbs, and some contemporary makers. and in every case listeners chose the Berg as making the best sound. The Berg is not something to try if you want a great composite bow - it's what you should try if you are looking for a great bow."

Warren Davidson

Alan de Veritch

Professor of Music,
Indiana University,
Past President, American Viola Society

"Ever since I became aware of the Berg violin and cello bows in the mid-1990's I have been pressuring Michael Duff to produce a viola bow. It has been worth the wait! The new Berg viola bows are just what the doctor ordered. Rarely have I had the good fortune to play a bow that virtually has it all....and this is it. How unique it is to have a stick be warm and sensitive at one moment and powerful and articulate the next. Not to mention it's affordability. I am looking forward to years of camaraderie with my new Berg bow and plan to encourage my students and colleagues to give the Berg bow serious consideration as well."

Alan de Veritch

Adam Gruchot

Concertmaster,
The Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra of Norway

"The gold mounted bow you made for me looks fantastic. All of the praise from your distinguished list of clients is true, so it is hard to add to that!

Its balance is amazing. The sound is big, clear, and I cam make many different colors and nuances with it. When I desire to produce special kinds of articulation it responds immediately and easily. In fact it seems to be ahead of me, anticipating what I desire, so I am much more relaxed playing solos. Also, I found that playing chords, especially in fugues of J. S. Bach, it gives me a wonderful relaxed and secure feeling. I don't have to resort to extra pressure or attack on the chord to get a balanced sound in every voice. I have never had such a feeling with any other bow. This is the best bow I have ever played. Thank you Michael for your masterful work. My wife will order one too!"

Adam Gruchot

Victor de Almeida

Principal Violist,
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

"In excerpts ranging from Bach to Bartok, my deluxe Berg viola bow crafted by Michael Duff speaks clearly under incredible pressure and scrutiny. It is resilient and reliable for playing excerpts of every style, every bow stroke, every dynamic – natural and unnatural. It responds clearly and does everything I want it to do. In passionate orchestral solos such as. Ginastera and Kodaly, I am very satisfied with the immense power of the bow that allows me to dig into the string all the way to the tip. It can withstand the abuse of even the most vulgar playing and permits an enormous range of sound: a quality necessary for exaggerating everything for the sake of leading an orchestral section. The bow also allows me to achieve the other extreme of playing incredibly, even unnaturally softly (if only for the sake of demonstrating that capability) without losing clarity: a characteristic that many Pernambuco bows at three times the price wouldn't be able to perform."

Victor de Almeida