The Bowmakers

Overview

This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.

Details

Cast

Charles Espey

Self, bow-maker

Paul Siefried

Self, bow-maker

Robert Morrow

Self, bow-maker

Ole Kanestrom

Self, bow-maker

Cody Kowalski

Self, bow-maker

Stéphane Tomachot

Self, bow-maker

Joséphine Tomachot

Self, bow-maker

Noel Burke

Self, bow-maker

Johnny Gandelsman

Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider

Colin Jacobsen

Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider

Nicholas Cords

Self, violist, Brooklyn Rider

Michael Nicolas

Self, cellist, Brooklyn Rider

Joel Link

Self, violinist, Dover Quartet

Bryan Lee

Self, violinist, Dover Quartet

Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt

Self, violist, Dover Quartet

Camden Shaw

Self, cellis, Dover Quartet

Daniel Ching

Self, violinist, Miró Quartet

William Fedkenheuer

Self, violinist, Miró Quartet

John Largess

Self, violist, Miró Quartet

Joshua Gindele

Self, cellist, Miró Quartet