West Cork Chamber Music Festival is saddened to hear of the death of Francis Kuttner, a leading instrument maker from the United States. Francis attended the Festival’s Violin & Bowmakers Exhibition many times and was due to attend the 2023 Festival.

Francis Kuttner was born in Washington D.C. to German Jewish refugees who fled Berlin in the ’30s via Rome and Lisbon.

He studied instrument making in Italy and has been the recipient of many eminent prizes in his field. His instruments are played by many renowned musicians, including the Alexander String Quartet, for whom he made the complete quartet of instruments.

Our thoughts are with Francis’ friends, family and colleagues. He will be greatly missed at this year’s Festival.

Read the full article on the Violin Channel