On November 4, 2018, Icelandic violin maker Hans Johannsson delivered a captivating presentation at the TEDx event held at the Tjarnarbíó theatre in Reykjavik. His talk delved into the intriguing intersection of centuries-old artisanal methods and contemporary scientific and technological innovations in violin making.
The presentation highlighted how advancements in digital signal analysis have propelled the development of electric bowed string instruments. These technologies have begun to illuminate knowledge that was once transmitted solely through tacit and intuitive practices, paving the way for expanding the horizons of classical instrument craftsmanship.
Hans Johannsson’s career spans several decades. Since the late 1970s, he has crafted classical stringed instruments for professional musicians worldwide. He earned a diploma of distinction from the Newark School of Violin Making in the UK in 1980, followed by a masters diploma awarded by the Icelandic Arts Council in 1982. Johannsson has shared his expertise on violin acoustics through lectures across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Beyond his instrument making, Johannsson has actively contributed to the field’s broader discourse. He has participated in design exhibitions and featured in television documentaries and a BBC radio programme that examined the role of technology in traditional violin making. Moreover, he has been a member of the violin acoustics research team at Oberlin, Ohio, and regularly attends interdisciplinary gatherings of instrument makers and scientists at Cambridge University’s Engineering Department.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
