TETBURY violinmaker Daniel Bristow is celebrating 30 years' of producing violins by making a quartet of instruments to be played by the Amico Quartet on May 13 Tetbury's newly opened Goods Shed Arts Centre.

Daniel began the ambitious project of making all four instruments (two violins, a viola and a cello), which he is calling "The Tetbury Quartet", on January 1 2017.

The instruments have been made using wood he first cut and seasoned 30 years ago from his first tree when he began working as a violinmaker in Tetbury following his graduation from Newark School of Violinmaking.

"The experience of cutting and seasoning the first tree 30 years ago has turned violinmaking into a lifetime's journey," said Daniel. "It's always a thrill to hear the results of your work and feel the life come back into the timber as you shape and work it."

This will be a unique chance to hear four instruments made from the same tree, by the same maker, in the hands of the Amico Quartet.

The Stroud-based Amico Quartet are Bartholomew Mason, violin; Cathy Hill, violin; Jonathan Trim, viola; and Benjamin Dry, cello.

Jonathan Trim is the leader of the Stroud Symphony and Capriol Orchestras as well as a composer.

The evening's programme will include the debut of his original work, Quartet No. 1, as well as works by Haydn, Glass and Brahms.

Daniel is also putting on an exhibition of violinmaking in his shop at 54 Long Street, Tetbury, as part of the craftsman's workshop trail organised by Select Trail 2017, Tetbury Select Trail, from May 6-7 and May 13-14. (for more information about the Tetbury Select Trail, please visit sitselect.org.)

There will also be a small exhibition at the concert.

Tickets for the concert are £10 in support of the Good Shed Arts Centre from shed-arts.co.uk (to include a glass of wine or juice) or at the Tetbury Tourist Information Centre, 33 Church Street, Tetbury, Glos. GL8 8JG, 01666 503552.

Concert starts 7.30pm

  • For more information contact Daniel Bristow on 01666 503946 or by email at bristowviolinstetbury@yahoo.co.uk