Dark clouds instead of a sky full of violins

Created: 01/10/2023, 09:00

By: Christof Schnürer

Succession secured: At some point, Mittenwald master violin maker Rainer W. Leonhardt wants to hand over the business to stepdaughter Julia Klotz.

Photo: schnürer © Christof Schnürer

Somehow it will always go on.

In the case of the much-vaunted Mittenwald instrument maker, one can only ask: To what modest extent will this happen in the future?

The traditional crafts below the Karwendel are lacking in young people.

Mittenwald

– The people of Mittenwald like to adorn themselves with violin making.

The place is advertised as a tourist destination because the sky is said to be full of violins there.

Illuminated violins are still resplendent on the lanterns.

But how much of this craft, which the legendary Matthias Klotz (1653 to 1743) founded 300 years ago in his home town, is still in Mittenwald?

Not much anymore, Rainer W. Leonhardt thinks.

"Violin making is advertised everywhere, but what's left nowadays?" A handful of family-run businesses that in many cases have one thing in common: there are no successors.

This applies, for example, to someone who is passionate about his job and his homeland: Anton Sprenger (53) vulgo “Schmied Douni”.

In the tenth generation, the Parade-Werdenfelser, who married to Wallgau, runs the long-established workshop in Gries.

But at some point this family tradition came to an end.

His son Korbinian can be found as an administrative employee in the Wallgau town hall and daughter Elisabeth as a children's nurse in the hospital.

"That's why I see the development mercilessly realistic," says Sprenger, whose roots, according to his own statements, go back to the very forefather of Mittenwald instrument making.

At some point it will be over.

"But I'm still immensely proud to be part of the cultural history of my homeland." No one will be able to take that title away from him.

As of today, Rainer W. Leonhardt has no problems with young talent.

It looks like his stepdaughters Julia (32) and Manuela (43) will one day take over the helm in the master company on Mühlenweg.

Leonhardt, who has been running the business since 1997, is familiar with the history, he knows that there was a similar lack of staff up until the mid-1940s.

But after the Second World War, the refugees and expellees came and with them an immense blood refreshment.

Suddenly Mittenwald grew up next to the Franconian Bubenreuth to the Mecca of instrument making, which of course was also due to the settlement of the Saxon company Gewa.

As is well known, the large employer returned to its roots in 2008.

And of the around 80 independent violin makers of the time, according to Leonhardt, only “a rump” remains.

He also blames the local instrument making school for the fact that this profession is ailing in Mittenwald.

Except for Georg Neuner (“Hackl”), there are no longer any purebred Mittenwald teachers there.

Let alone local apprentices.

"I don't think anyone has come from Mittenwald for 20 years." Which is partly due to the strict admission criteria.

Locals are said to have had it easier in the past.

It is incomprehensible that there is no Mittenwalder on the jury.

Rainer W. Leonhardt

One person who could of course answer these criticisms would be Rector Dr.

Frederik Habel.

But he could not be reached for comment yesterday.

But once in motion, Rainer W. Leonhardt also talks about the violin making competition, which last took place in Mittenwald in 2022.

"It is incomprehensible that there is no Mittenwalder on the jury," he does not shy away from criticizing the co-organizing municipality.

From this one learns anyway in parts little appreciation.

"There are various members of the municipal council who are even against the violin making museum," says Leonhardt.

"Who do you want to refer to then?" Finally, he mentions the local museum association, "which has accumulated an incredible amount of cultural assets over many decades".

50 like-minded people are still loyal to him.

"But the bottom line is that only old people are sitting there," says Leonhardt - including himself.

He came to the bitter conclusion: "All things considered, that's a poor testimony for violin making!"