Bulgarian luthiers establish themselves on the American market with quality and reliability

published on 2/28/24 7:25 AM

Photo: facebook.com / classicviolins

A few years after Bulgaria's socialist regime fell, a Plovdiv family relocated to Chicago to establish a business centered on a craft that not only resonates through fingertips but also reaches deep into one's heart. Luthiery, the art of crafting stringed instruments, demands precision in material handling and the skill to breathe life into the soul of each instrument.

Georgi and Maria Schumanov, first generation immigrants to the USA, founded the Classic Violins brand in 1989. Later, their two sons-in-law joined the family business. The close-knit family now owns stores in a northern suburb of Chicago and in Racine, Wisconsin.

Antoaneta Kostova and Stefka Chavdarova

"In 1989 my father went to America with the idea of starting a unique business," his daughter Stefka Chavdarova told Radio Bulgaria. - He was not a musician, but he was a good businessman, and together with my mother they came up with a plan to import musical instruments and accessories made by Bulgarian craftsmen at the Kremona workshop in Kazanlak. At first he sold them to various shops in the United States, and then the idea was born for the whole family to get involved in lutherie.

So the two daughters joined the business with their husbands. Petyo Kostov and Plamen Chavdarov. They completed three years of training at the Chicago School of Violin Making and took up string instrument making. In 2000, the family opened the first Bulgarian luthier's shop in America.

"From the very beginning, our shop stood out for the quality of the instruments, which helped us attract the attention of customers, teachers and private studios - continues Stefka Chavdarova. - In America, every school has a music programme with woodwind or string instruments, and children start playing as early as the 4th grade. That's why we decided to offer high-quality student rental instruments to young musicians. Gradually our business grew and today we don't rely so much on advertising in newspapers and on social media, but on word of mouth from our customers.

All customers receive personal attention, answers to their questions and instructions on how to look after their instruments - because everyone who walks through the shop's doors is considered special.

"I am most proud of the little customers who have been with us since they were three years old and now teach music themselves," says the other daughter in the family, Antoaneta Kostova. I am also happy when people in their eighties come into the shop and say that they have always wanted to learn to play the violin, but never had the time. They sign up for lessons and have been our customers for 10 years.

The violins, violas and cellos are made entirely by hand, as was done in the 17th and 18th centuries by Stradivari, Amati and Guarneri, as well as by the Bulgarian masters of the Kremona luthiers in the last century. "In this craft, precision to the millimetre is just as important as the emotional investment that the luthier puts into his work," emphasises Antoaneta Kostova.

Besides making professional instruments, Bulgarian luthiers are engaged in the restoration and repair of violins. It is no coincidence that many musicians, even from other states, trust their services. In addition to Bulgarian luthiers, the workshops also employ American craftsmen.

The first step in bringing a new instrument to life is the choice of wood.

"The wood has to mature," explain Antoaneta and Stefka Chavdarova, "we have one that has been maturing before our eyes for 20 years and we take care of it so that it has a good sound. The best wood is found in the Balkans, which is why most of our sycamore and spruce come from Bulgaria. Then we add the craftsmanship of the luthier himself. No matter how flawless the wood, without the skill and soul that goes into making the instrument, it won't resonate in harmony, it won't produce a satisfactory result. And when it's all done, you really feel that the instrument is your own child with a soul.

Stefka and Antoaneta both admit that it's not always easy to work with those closest to you every day, to be together all the time - at work and at home. "Conflicts are inevitable, we are six individuals with different opinions on everything, but what unites us is the common goal - the success of our company," says Antoaneta Kostova. "The most important thing is to resolve conflicts with kindness and love," adds Stefka Chavdarova. In such cases, Georgi Shumanov, the doyen of the family, has the last word.

The close-knit family is looking ahead to their next goal - opening another store near Chicago. And in the meantime, they will never forget the gratitude in their hearts for the people who have helped them along this new path.

Photos: facebook.com/classicviolins

Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova

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