Every violin has its own soul, its own character, its own voice - Petko Petkov
- Florènia Magazine
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
Petko Petkov is a master violin maker with over 25 years of experience in the craft. He apprenticed under the esteemed master Vladko Naidenov. In 1999, he established his own workshop in Ovoshtnik, crafting violins, violas, and cellos by hand using traditional Italian techniques. His instruments, made from carefully selected Balkan maple and spruce, are renowned for their tonal beauty and are played by musicians around the world.
Emotion, Clients & the Journey of the Instrument
What does it feel like to hear someone play one of your violins for the first time? Is there a kind of emotional release?
When someone plays one of my instruments for the first time, I feel a great sense of excitement. It's a mix of anticipation and a kind of stage-like thrill. When I hear that the instrument produces a beautiful, resonant sound, I begin to truly enjoy the moment.
I will never forget the moment when a world-renowned Bulgarian musician played one of my violins in a concert hall. I was so moved, I was speechless. I had never heard my violin sound like that before.
Some people think of a violin as an instrument. Others call it a voice. What is it to you?
I don’t see the violin as just a tool for producing sound.
"Every violin has its own soul, its own character, its own voice."
That voice matures over time, shaped by the person who plays it. The violins I make are a part of me - I’ve poured something of myself into them. That is why I don’t see them as lifeless objects, but as vessels of emotion and expression.
What do you hope someone feels when they hold a violin made by you?
I hope that he or she feels satisfied with the violin - that there’s a mutual connection. I want them to feel that the instrument was created with love. I hope they experience love at first sight. To me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a professional musician or a passionate beginner.
The Craft of Violin Making
When you're making a violin, where does it begin for you - with the wood, the player, the shape? How long does the whole process take?
If I’m handcrafting a violin on commission for a musician, everything starts with communication. We clarify what kind of sound they expect from the instrument. I suggest different models and explain the specific features of each. Then comes the wood - I choose the material based on the desired sound. The actual making of the violin takes between three and four months, but the entire process is highly individual and depends on the specific case.
What does a “good day” look like in your workshop? Is it quiet, precise, full of flow, or something else entirely?
A good day in my workshop is when the tone wood welcomes my hands, and the work offers its hand in return. When the wood I’m working with doesn’t resist me, the process flows smoothly. When I think about it, every day in my workshop is a good day. For me, violin making isn’t just work, it’s a pleasure. When I step into the workshop, I forget everything else and become fully immersed in the work. It calms me and gives me energy. Usually, my day begins with varnishing, then I move on to whatever woodworking task lies ahead. When everything goes well, the hours pass unnoticed.
Some craftspeople talk about a kind of conversation with the material. Do you experience that with wood? What does it “say” to you?
I wouldn’t say I talk to the material. But after years of experience, when I look at the wood, I know what it wants me to do with it. Maybe it’s intuition - I haven’t really thought about it. Even when I’m buying the wood, I already know what kind of violin I’ll create from it. Every piece of wood is different, with its own character. Some are cooperative, others are more stubborn.
Is there a tool in your workshop that holds a special meaning for you? Something passed down, gifted, or simply loved?
Yes, there’s a tool that’s very special to me - a chisel unlike any other. I received it as a gift from a client in the Netherlands. It was handmade and is very old, covered in patina, which gives it an ancient look. When I work with it, I feel like I’m stepping into the past. I wonder who the craftsman was who once used it, and what he created. It fits perfectly in my hand. I use it for carving the scroll, as well as for hollowing out the back and top plates.
Origins & Early Influences
Do you remember the first time you fell in love with the craft? Was it a violin? A moment? A feeling?
While I was on leave during my military service, I visited a friend of mine and saw him working on a violin. At that moment, I knew this was what I wanted to do - that this was my calling. It was like love at first sight. The realisation came instantly. I felt the smell of the wood and the calm it radiated. I can say that all three - the violin, the moment, and the feeling - played a role. I visited my friend at a very specific moment in time. He was making a violin, and I felt a rush of emotion.
"Even as a child, I was always drawn to activities where I could create something with my hands - whether it was making willow whistles or carving decorated sticks."
What was your relationship to music growing up? Was it part of your household or something you sought out yourself?
I would say music was something I discovered on my own. Later, however, I found out that my mother had played the violin as a child.
What drew you to the violin in particular - as an object to make with your own hands? Was it the sound, the complexity, the elegance?
What first attracted me to the violin was its elegance and grace. Later, I came to understand how complex it is to create such an instrument from the beginning to the end. The sounding of the violin is something entirely different - the sound is the soul of the instrument. From its outlook alone, you can never tell how a violin will sound.
Do you think you would have become a luthier if you’d grown up in a different time or place? What role did your environment play?
I don’t think I would have become a luthier if I had grown up in a different time or place.
My environment played a decisive role - if it weren’t for that moment with my friend, the spark inside me might never have been lit. I believe this was my path all along. This gives me a deep sense of fulfilment and endless happiness, it gives meaning to my life, and I am a truly happy person. I am grateful for this opportunity.
