“One of Port Townsend’s master violin bowmakers, who helped make this a place known for bow making, died on Nov. 28,” writes Lily Haight in Wednesday’s (12/4) Leader (Port Townsend, WA). “Paul Siefried, who was a restorer of antique bows for musical instruments and a bow maker for more than four decades, died at the age of 69. His bows—light, delicate, ornate carved pieces of art—are scattered around the world, in the hands of artists who use them day in and day out to create music. According to The Strad magazine … his bows ‘were in the genre of Peccatte and Maire, but with the vibrancy, sensitivity and resilience of bows by legendary makers like Tourte and Voirin.’ Born in Chicago in 1950, Siefried … started at a leather shop after leaving art school…. He found a job as an apprentice at Cremona Violin Makers and Dealers in San Francisco. From there, he moved to Los Angeles to work at Hans Weisshaar…. It was there that he refined his skills…. In 1991, Siefried moved to Port Townsend with his wife and two children and set up shop in his backyard. He began making and restoring bows for musicians around the world.”
Posted December 10, 2019
