Brian Lisus is a violin maker born in South Africa, who started the first violin making School in South Africa. He is currently teaching in Ojai, California, US, and owns a violin making shop there.
Early life
Lisus was raised in a South African suburb of Cape Town in a musical family. His godfather was a cellist and Lisus grew up listening to the music of family and of visiting musicians.
Violin-making
Lisus uses mainly 16th-century instrument-making methods and materials. He makes his own varnish from walnut oil, Strasbourg turpentine mixed with plant resins such as mastic, and sandarac.
He is known as the Maker of "The Quartet of Peace", which honors the 4 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates from South Africa: Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk, Albert Luthuli and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The instruments have been played at charity events that support music education for children in South Africa. He named the two violins, viola, and cello Freedom, Peace, Reconciliation and Hope.
References
- Gregory, Kim Lamb (14 December 2013). "Internationally-known South African violin maker sets up shop in Ojai". Ventura County Star. Camarillo, CA.
- ^ Stelzer, Savannah (14 August 2013). "Violin Maker". Santa Barbara Independent. Santa Barbara, CA.
- "A luthier's tribute to Nelson Mandela". The Strad. 6 December 2013 . Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- Erasmus, Janine. "South African quartet plays for peace". Media Club South Africa.
- "The Instruments". Quartet of Peace.