Quartet of Hope - Inaugural Concert Ojai April 2024
“These instruments by Brian Lisus have been beautifully built, and are extremely fine works.
As an ensemble, they are optically perfectly sound. When the Quartet was played it emanated a homogenous, yet transparent sound with a very appealing composition of colors, a warm slightly 'gedackt' sound quality that had simultaneously a lot of substance with fine harmonics and a large carrying potential.
I am excited to accompanying these fine instruments on their way.“
Professor Tim Vogler – Head of string chamber music at the HfMDK Frankfurt
“I have recently studied the quartet (QUARTET OF HOPE) made by Brian Lisus, for the Music Of Hope project.
As might be expected of this talented maker, each instrument has been crafted to perfection. Moreover, they were also conceived as a quartet, and as such they are already a resounding success.
From wood selection, to model choice, from varnishing to fittings, they complement each other perfectly. They will be a great asset to any group of players privileged to play upon them and a pleasure for those fortunate enough to hear them.”
Roger Hargrave - renowned luthier and authority on Cremonese instruments
Cello's first performance at the Colburn Music Academy
“I had the honor of being the first cellist to play on the Quartet of Hope cello after its “birth.” I was immediately struck by its warm, sweet sound, and I loved having the opportunity to explore its layers and colors during the first months of its life.
The Quartet of Hope cello has a golden, glowing quality of sound that can really sing. It is rich and light at the same time, allowing for both depth and purity in the sound. I performed on this cello at the Colburn School in Los Angeles and the Quartet of Hope Inaugural Concert in Ojai, CA, and I received many comments from audience members about the beauty of its sound. I am excited to hear how …(it) develops over time as other cellists play on it and continue to explore its many possibilities.
I believe it will live up to its name and help bring hope through its beautiful sound to hospice and palliative care patients—the mission of the ROME Foundation’s Music of Hope Project.”
Angela Rose Padula, Greendale Scholar at Colburn Music Academy, studying with Clive Greensmith and Perlman Music Program Scholar
It was my pleasure to try out two violins and the viola from the ‘Quartet of Hope’ quartet, crafted by violinmaker Brian Lisus.
The Manfred Eigen violin responded instantly; a clear, silvery sound that spoke effortlessly, but without any lack of warmth. It showed a great deal of power without ever sounding overly-strident. Its playability made the ‘prima donna’ content associated with the first violin repertoire feel easy!
The Max Perutz violin appeared a little shy in the beginning, but once we got to know each other, the deep, sonorous lower register and sweet, singing upper register became addictive. I can imagine it being the perfect partner to the first violin.
The Max Planck viola was a joy to play; not only because of its manageable dimensions, but also the evenness throughout the register and clarity over all four strings. All of the instruments I tried displayed a very fine attention to detail and setup — when they sound like this already, I can’t wait to hear them in five years’ time!
I tested the instruments in Die Glocke, Bremen, and it was clear that they projected well in the large hall.
Jeffrey Armstrong, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
“I was extremely impressed on how resonant the Max Perutz violin is. It filled the hall (Large Music Hall, Santa Barbara Conservatory) with sound!
Not only that, the tone quality was unlike any other of the many instruments I had tried over the past years. The richness and huskiness is beautiful, aspects that old violins have and that I love. The violin is even throughout, yet with the character of each register. Exactly what I was looking for, I love it!”
Violinist Rafael Vasquez commenting on the Max Perutz Violin
