Endorsements (in chronological order)
Csaba Erdélyi Klaus Asher Tony Morales Thomas Mesa Joseph Myer Godfried Hoogeveen Michael Beert Richard Biaggini Jorja Fleezanis
January 22, 2017
Csaba Erdélyi
Re: New, Special Frog Invented by Master Bowmaker, Michael Duff
I am a happy owner of two Berg viola bows made by Mr. Duff. I have been using these fine bows in concert performances for many years. Whenever I am in the Bloomington area I like to visit Mr. Duff in his workshop because he is always coming up with new ideas to further improve the quality of his bows. When I saw him a few weeks ago, he showed me a new bow that he had just fitted with a specially
treated blackwood frog. I tried this bow on my instrument, and the purity, clarity, depth of tone and projection was truly amazing! Apart from the frog, the new bow was very similar to my own Berg bows, which do make a good sound. But the special frog transformed the whole new bow into pure tone! I have immediately asked Mr. Duff to make such a special new frog for my gold-mounted Berg bow. I believe that his new invention of this new type of frog will revolutionize the art of bow making.
Sincerely,
Csaba Erdélyi
Professor of Viola, Chamber Music, Conductor, Recording ArtistIndiana University, Rice University, Butler University
Csaba Erdélyi
Re: New, Special Frog Invented by Master Bowmaker, Michael Duff
I am a happy owner of two Berg viola bows made by Mr. Duff. I have been using these fine bows in concert performances for many years. Whenever I am in the Bloomington area I like to visit Mr. Duff in his workshop because he is always coming up with new ideas to further improve the quality of his bows. When I saw him a few weeks ago, he showed me a new bow that he had just fitted with a specially
treated blackwood frog. I tried this bow on my instrument, and the purity, clarity, depth of tone and projection was truly amazing! Apart from the frog, the new bow was very similar to my own Berg bows, which do make a good sound. But the special frog transformed the whole new bow into pure tone! I have immediately asked Mr. Duff to make such a special new frog for my gold-mounted Berg bow. I believe that his new invention of this new type of frog will revolutionize the art of bow making.
Sincerely,
Csaba Erdélyi
Professor of Viola, Chamber Music, Conductor, Recording ArtistIndiana University, Rice University, Butler University
September 16, 2016
Klaus Asher
I absolutely love the viola bow that Michael Duff made for me recently. First, I should point out that I am not the typical player that buys the top Berg bow. Although asking to play a string instrument from a very early age, I did not start until an age when people told me that, too bad, I was too old. After putting it away for another decade, and playing trumpet professionally, I started again, on viola. Twelve years ago I gave up my trumpet chair in the orchestra and auditioned for a viola position, where I continue to play. As a maker of string instruments I have seen coming to my violin shop the tragedy of broken traditional bows, from very cheap to quite expensive. For that reason I have felt somewhat reluctant to spend thousands on a traditional bow. The Berg bow, of course, has no chance of coming to this fate, and of all the bows that I have owned or tried, it is the best that I have tried. Michael Duff has spent decades analyzing what characteristics make a great playing bow, in terms of sound, balance, weight, and flexibility, and, in my opinion has managed to bring these things to his very special product. As a maker myself, I also very much appreciate that he can do this and produce a bow that is also beautiful visually. When I first drew the bow across my viola I noticed a stronger sound, more focused, with a crisp quality that brings the best out of my instrument. As the weeks go by, I more and more appreciate how the wide array of articulations that I wish to produce are now possible, and, dare I say, “easy”. Many thanks to this devoted man for his valuable contribution,
Klaus Thomas Asher
Violist,Rockford Symphony
String Instrument maker, restorer.
Klaus Asher
I absolutely love the viola bow that Michael Duff made for me recently. First, I should point out that I am not the typical player that buys the top Berg bow. Although asking to play a string instrument from a very early age, I did not start until an age when people told me that, too bad, I was too old. After putting it away for another decade, and playing trumpet professionally, I started again, on viola. Twelve years ago I gave up my trumpet chair in the orchestra and auditioned for a viola position, where I continue to play. As a maker of string instruments I have seen coming to my violin shop the tragedy of broken traditional bows, from very cheap to quite expensive. For that reason I have felt somewhat reluctant to spend thousands on a traditional bow. The Berg bow, of course, has no chance of coming to this fate, and of all the bows that I have owned or tried, it is the best that I have tried. Michael Duff has spent decades analyzing what characteristics make a great playing bow, in terms of sound, balance, weight, and flexibility, and, in my opinion has managed to bring these things to his very special product. As a maker myself, I also very much appreciate that he can do this and produce a bow that is also beautiful visually. When I first drew the bow across my viola I noticed a stronger sound, more focused, with a crisp quality that brings the best out of my instrument. As the weeks go by, I more and more appreciate how the wide array of articulations that I wish to produce are now possible, and, dare I say, “easy”. Many thanks to this devoted man for his valuable contribution,
Klaus Thomas Asher
Violist,Rockford Symphony
String Instrument maker, restorer.
September 15, 2016
Tony Morales
Out of all of the distinguished wooden bows I have tried, the synthetic bow crafted by Micheal Duff sounds the best with my instrument. Not only is the sound rich and vibrant, but any bowing technique is handled with ease. In addition to a good sound, Mr. Duff is able to personalize how the weight is distributed along the stick, making all play styles accounted for. I highly recommend these bows for those looking for a top of the line synthetic bow.
Tony Morales
Boston Civic Symphony and Missouri Symphony
Tony Morales
Out of all of the distinguished wooden bows I have tried, the synthetic bow crafted by Micheal Duff sounds the best with my instrument. Not only is the sound rich and vibrant, but any bowing technique is handled with ease. In addition to a good sound, Mr. Duff is able to personalize how the weight is distributed along the stick, making all play styles accounted for. I highly recommend these bows for those looking for a top of the line synthetic bow.
Tony Morales
Boston Civic Symphony and Missouri Symphony
September 4, 2016
Thomas Mesa
As the first prize winner of the 2016 Sphinx Competition, I had no idea what I was in for when they told me that one of the prizes was a custom made bow according to my specifications by Michael Duff. The Tourte-Voirin model bow arrived in the mail a few months later in a beautiful cherry red bow case and I'll never forget the moment I put this bow on the string. My mother sat down and asked me to play a few notes with both bows - my mother does not play an instrument and is not musically trained. I played my Vigneron, it pulled a beautiful sound as always. I picked up Michael Duff's bow, tightened it, rosined it, then pulled it across the string and my mother's jaw dropped to the floor - along with mine. It was as if someone had put a microphone on my cello and turned up the volume. The difference in projection was absolutely astonishing, it was almost was if Michael Duff's bow was an amplifier for my instrument. Not only was the sound production different but the immediacy of sound was completely obvious. It was a completely different world of sound coming out of my cello and I could not believe that it was because of a bow made of synthetic materials.
I had no time to get used to the bow before my next recitals which were only 48 hours away but I had no choice - the bow needed to be played for people, so I used it. I emailed Michael about this wonderful bow and he instantly sent me back an explanation that I would love to share with people thinking about buying this bow:
Thomas Mesa
As the first prize winner of the 2016 Sphinx Competition, I had no idea what I was in for when they told me that one of the prizes was a custom made bow according to my specifications by Michael Duff. The Tourte-Voirin model bow arrived in the mail a few months later in a beautiful cherry red bow case and I'll never forget the moment I put this bow on the string. My mother sat down and asked me to play a few notes with both bows - my mother does not play an instrument and is not musically trained. I played my Vigneron, it pulled a beautiful sound as always. I picked up Michael Duff's bow, tightened it, rosined it, then pulled it across the string and my mother's jaw dropped to the floor - along with mine. It was as if someone had put a microphone on my cello and turned up the volume. The difference in projection was absolutely astonishing, it was almost was if Michael Duff's bow was an amplifier for my instrument. Not only was the sound production different but the immediacy of sound was completely obvious. It was a completely different world of sound coming out of my cello and I could not believe that it was because of a bow made of synthetic materials.
I had no time to get used to the bow before my next recitals which were only 48 hours away but I had no choice - the bow needed to be played for people, so I used it. I emailed Michael about this wonderful bow and he instantly sent me back an explanation that I would love to share with people thinking about buying this bow:
|
Tommy,
My concept of a bow is that it is a continuous sound loop - comprising, stick, frog , and horsetail hair.. Based on this I thought that any piece of it, or materials used, could influence the sound delivery. I already knew that the composite material combination of my molded sticks had high velocity sound measurement, as measured on a Lucchi Meter. I wanted to know whether this velocity was matched by the natural woods used in frog making. The answer is that it is not, because natural woods like ebony, are porous. The next logical step was to increase the velocity in the woods used for frogs. We proved that it can be done. The steps are as follows: 1. velocity of natural wood = X m/sec. 2. extract natural resins and water from the wood sample, using high vacuum. 3. quickly immerse the vacuum-treated wood in an aqueous polymer resin. 4. cure and harden this treated wood, and then measure again its sound velocity. The result is amazing: the new sound velocity is around 10% higher than the natural untreated wood. This result is true for three species of wood so far tested - African Blackwood, burled Rosewood, and Cocobolo wood. Of these three woods, Blackwood is the best (densest), followed by the beautiful burled Rosewood and Cocobolo wood. All three species have an augmented sound delivery. Since Ebony wood is dangerously exploited now-a-days, I elected to use Blackwood instead, and it also is denser than ebony, and to my eye is just as beautiful in color. I hope you find this interesting, Tommy. I consider it a major contribution to bow making. I sincerely hope that it is received as such. Best, Michael |
August 31, 2016
Joseph Meyer
I was able to test both the standard model Berg bow which I have owned for many years, alongside the new 'Tourte-Voirin' model which has a stabilized African Blackwood frog. Both of them are are very strong and well balanced, but I notice a much better sound in the new model. The one with the Blackwood frog has a deeper sound,more power and more colors in its sound. The maker gives scientific proof for this sound enhancement. He explains that the process of stabilization of the Blackwood increases its velocity of sound measurement, which is why the bow's sound delivery is enhanced.
I also feel that the new model is comparable to the best modern Pernambuco bows in sound. It is a good compliment to have in a collection of bows, as a concertmaster. It is certainly a powerful bow with a deep sonority. Congratulations to Mr. Duff for his remarkable achievement.
Joseph Meyer
Associate Concertmaster
Charlotte Symphony
Joseph Meyer
I was able to test both the standard model Berg bow which I have owned for many years, alongside the new 'Tourte-Voirin' model which has a stabilized African Blackwood frog. Both of them are are very strong and well balanced, but I notice a much better sound in the new model. The one with the Blackwood frog has a deeper sound,more power and more colors in its sound. The maker gives scientific proof for this sound enhancement. He explains that the process of stabilization of the Blackwood increases its velocity of sound measurement, which is why the bow's sound delivery is enhanced.
I also feel that the new model is comparable to the best modern Pernambuco bows in sound. It is a good compliment to have in a collection of bows, as a concertmaster. It is certainly a powerful bow with a deep sonority. Congratulations to Mr. Duff for his remarkable achievement.
Joseph Meyer
Associate Concertmaster
Charlotte Symphony
July 29, 2016
Godfried Hoogeveen
Dear Mr. Duff,
It was very satisfying to play with your cello bow. It has excellent balance, draws a beautiful sound and 'digs' into the strings, both up- bow and down-bow, very well.
Thank you for letting me try out your splendid piece of work.
With kindest regards,
Godfried Hoogeveen
Principal Cellist
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Godfried Hoogeveen
Dear Mr. Duff,
It was very satisfying to play with your cello bow. It has excellent balance, draws a beautiful sound and 'digs' into the strings, both up- bow and down-bow, very well.
Thank you for letting me try out your splendid piece of work.
With kindest regards,
Godfried Hoogeveen
Principal Cellist
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
June 30, 2016
Michael Beert,
"I have had the distinct pleasure of playing on two bows made by Michael Duff. The first one I used when I performed the solo to Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. I loved playing this bow as I was able to project all the way to the back of the hall and yet have all the nuances of a fine French wooden bow. The variances of colors Michael Duff’s bows offer me are almost endless. "
"More importantly, having soloed frequently with his bows, I know there will always be a consistent sound from frog to tip without any give or slip in the sound. It’s just 100% consistent from one end to the other!"
"Having had such great success with one bow, I dreamed up the perfect bow and commissioned Michael to build it for me. He was fantastic to work with: color, material, weight and balance - all aspects were discussed and agreed upon easily. His use of compressed hardwood for the frog and tip made the sound even more enhanced. In regard to craftsmanship, having played and owned bows from several contemporary makers over the years, Michael ranks as one of the top makers in the world and in my opinion, a bow that every student or performer needs."
"These are bows that I always go to for solo work, chamber music or orchestral playing. Their consistency in any setting is amazing! I cannot say enough great things about my experiences with Michael Duff and I strongly recommend his bows to any serious student and professional as they are a joy to own and play!"
Michael
Michael Beert,
Principal Cellist, Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Dean and Professor of Music, Rock Valley College, Rockford IL
Michael Beert,
"I have had the distinct pleasure of playing on two bows made by Michael Duff. The first one I used when I performed the solo to Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. I loved playing this bow as I was able to project all the way to the back of the hall and yet have all the nuances of a fine French wooden bow. The variances of colors Michael Duff’s bows offer me are almost endless. "
"More importantly, having soloed frequently with his bows, I know there will always be a consistent sound from frog to tip without any give or slip in the sound. It’s just 100% consistent from one end to the other!"
"Having had such great success with one bow, I dreamed up the perfect bow and commissioned Michael to build it for me. He was fantastic to work with: color, material, weight and balance - all aspects were discussed and agreed upon easily. His use of compressed hardwood for the frog and tip made the sound even more enhanced. In regard to craftsmanship, having played and owned bows from several contemporary makers over the years, Michael ranks as one of the top makers in the world and in my opinion, a bow that every student or performer needs."
"These are bows that I always go to for solo work, chamber music or orchestral playing. Their consistency in any setting is amazing! I cannot say enough great things about my experiences with Michael Duff and I strongly recommend his bows to any serious student and professional as they are a joy to own and play!"
Michael
Michael Beert,
Principal Cellist, Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Dean and Professor of Music, Rock Valley College, Rockford IL
August 20, 2014
Richard Biaggini,
" I have been the owner of a Berg violin bow for over 10 years. When I was in search for a new violin bow I was fortunate enough to be reintroduced to the wonderful Berg bows."
"As a concertmaster, I was looking for a high performance bow and decided to rediscover the Berg line because of the continuous innovation and advancements that I had heard so much about. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. While all of the bows are of high quality, I found that the Tourte-Voirin was articulate and effortless. Mr Michael Duff, the artist behind the craftsmanship of the bows, invests much research, knowledge, and refinement into each bow. He does not merely attempt to replicate a classic bow. Instead, he rediscovers and improves a classic piece of art through the use of modern science, while adhering to the application of traditional working methods. His experience has allowed him to create great composite bows that retain the qualities of a classic bow while producing better stability, flexibility, and consistency. His green innovations of stabilizing natural hardwood is the perfect example of this. I am continuously impressed by the Berg bows and cannot wait to add another bow to my collection. I highly recommend them to my fellow musicians. "
Richard
Richard Biaggini,
Violinist
Concertmaster of the Columbia Sinfonia.
www.richardbiaggini.es/en
May 05, 2014
Jorja Fleezanis,
" I recently became the owner of a Berg Bow and have two students of mine at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University who have been thoroughly transformed as players with their respective Berg Bows. "
"What is in a bow? If you put aside the actual recipe of materials and craft in making them, I am referring to the chemistry between speed and weight of the bow arm with the bow, the sense of how it makes contact to the string and the resultant tone singing out from the violin. The bow is a player's communion with an immense language of sound possibilities. It can drive the grammar of articulation to new heights by how its innate balance grips the string and releases it. It can give depth at many expressive temperatures that can fulfill the player's imagination of what is possible and even take it beyond. "
My. Berg Bow's particular strength is a calm and steady pull right from the time you put it to the string and draws evenly to the tip. The camber of this bow is mathematically correct and achieves this property of hugging the string. Another important feature, together with this physical sensation, is Michael Duff's stabilized Rosewood frog which has increased sound velocity over natural wood, enhancing sound delivery of the bow. Together, these features give a fullness of tone and ease of movement from frog to tip as though the arm never really cantilevers as it moves to the tip - the contact remains steady and sure throughout the stroke. The spiccato 'sweet spot' is in a comfortable location and produces a buoyant rebound through all varieties of weight.
"It was an effortless musical relationship when I put this bow to the string for the first time and felt the way it coaxed the quality of sonority into being and easily spoke in a variety of articulations. What more could one hope for on a first date?"
Jorja
Jorja Fleezanis,
Professor of Violin and Orchestral Studies
Indiana University
Jacobs School of Music
Former Concert Master, Minnesota Orchestra
Jorja Fleezanis,
" I recently became the owner of a Berg Bow and have two students of mine at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University who have been thoroughly transformed as players with their respective Berg Bows. "
"What is in a bow? If you put aside the actual recipe of materials and craft in making them, I am referring to the chemistry between speed and weight of the bow arm with the bow, the sense of how it makes contact to the string and the resultant tone singing out from the violin. The bow is a player's communion with an immense language of sound possibilities. It can drive the grammar of articulation to new heights by how its innate balance grips the string and releases it. It can give depth at many expressive temperatures that can fulfill the player's imagination of what is possible and even take it beyond. "
My. Berg Bow's particular strength is a calm and steady pull right from the time you put it to the string and draws evenly to the tip. The camber of this bow is mathematically correct and achieves this property of hugging the string. Another important feature, together with this physical sensation, is Michael Duff's stabilized Rosewood frog which has increased sound velocity over natural wood, enhancing sound delivery of the bow. Together, these features give a fullness of tone and ease of movement from frog to tip as though the arm never really cantilevers as it moves to the tip - the contact remains steady and sure throughout the stroke. The spiccato 'sweet spot' is in a comfortable location and produces a buoyant rebound through all varieties of weight.
"It was an effortless musical relationship when I put this bow to the string for the first time and felt the way it coaxed the quality of sonority into being and easily spoke in a variety of articulations. What more could one hope for on a first date?"
Jorja
Jorja Fleezanis,
Professor of Violin and Orchestral Studies
Indiana University
Jacobs School of Music
Former Concert Master, Minnesota Orchestra
