Přemysl O. Špidlen

He was born 18.6.1920. After attending technical secondary school he learned the violin and musical theory at the Prague Academy of Music. He was also a skilful sportsman, particularly an excellent skier. During the years 1946-1948 he was even a member of the Czech national team. While studying and participating in sports competitions he also took an interest in violin-making. He followed the lengthy discussions between his father and Jindrich Vitacek, the Russian violin-maker of Czech origin (Otakar’s cousin) about violin-making and related subjects; he also trained with violin-maker Karel Josef Dvorak. After graduation he was taught by his father and by the time he took his apprenticeship examination in 1940 it was clear that he had great talent in the profession.

Premysl Spidlen began a splendid career, focusing almost exclusively on making new violins; he was very successful in violin-making competitions: 1947 The Hague – leading position above all Czech violin-makers 1960 and 1963 Liége – Gold Medal for quartet, 1962 Poznaň 1st and 3rd place for violin, 1967 Poznan – 2nd place (1st prize not awarded on this occasion). He later attended international competitions as a member of the jury, he was invited to international violin-making exhibitions and shared his expertise giving several specialist lectures. He became a member of various world violin-making associations, in particular, the Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art. In 1958, shortly after the death of his father, he became a founding member of the Violin-Makers’ Artists’ Circle which affiliates distinguished violin-makers to this day. He was an expert on the state collection of musical instruments and an internationally acclaimed expert for many years. His certificates are recognised all over the world. His customers and friends included many world-famous virtuosos and important figures from the world of music. Premysl Spidlen died at the age of nearly 90 years on 6. January 2010.

“Premysl O. Spidlen is one of the most celebrated figures in the entire violin-making history of our country” (from the book The Art of Violin-Making by V.Pilar and F.Sramek).