A guitar made from wood
that is five centuries old
How many musicians would dare to play a guitar made from a roof beam of a cathedral dating back to 1492? Centuries-old softwood, knotty, yet of rare quality. Guitar maker Theo Scharpach managed to acquire a remnant and built The Concertura Dolezza. This classical guitar is now the favorite of guitarist and composer Martin van Hees. The Musical Instrument Fund brought the two together, and in early February, the official agreement was signed at the headquarters of Martin’s music label, Trptk, in Utrecht.
Vibrations
Just imagine what has taken place in the cathedral over the course of five centuries. What vibrations have passed through the wood. Countless choirs, sermons, baptisms, weddings… music dating back to the Renaissance… You could get all romantic about it, but for Theo Scharpach, it was the properties of the wood that mattered most.
Tree rings from 1200
The wood comes from the Frauenkirche in Munich. The cathedral’s roof was built with spruce from the Bavarian Alps. The oldest growth rings date back to around 1200. In 1460, the trees were felled, donated to the church by farmers, and floated down the river to Munich. The church’s roof collapsed during a bombing raid at the end of World War II. Most of the beams were used as fuel for the fires and stoves of Munich’s residents, who were trying to survive in the besieged city. A violin maker discovered the beauty of the wood and was able to salvage a few pieces from the ruins in 1947. Since then, more than 40 violins and cellos have been made from it. Theo Scharpach heard about the existence of this special wood: “A German lumberyard was said to still have a number of planks. I was very curious about its properties and went to check it out. The best pieces, of course, were long gone; I had to search carefully. Endlessly tapping, knocking, listening, feeling. You pay attention to the stiffness and choose primarily based on the sound. Out of the two hundred planks, I found three that I really wanted to work with.”
photos: Brendon Heinst
Cross-over
Guitarist and composer Martin van Hees had been looking for a new guitar. “One with more projection and clarity, suited to my contemporary music, my ensemble playing, and the ever-larger churches and concert halls where I perform. I just had to try that special guitar of Theo’s. The wood, the traditional construction, the raised fretboard for easier playing, the tone, the volume… A magnificent instrument, but just out of my reach.” Geertje van der Linden, collection manager at Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds: “We really wanted to help Martin. He’s a vibrant performer, brimming with ideas, active in various ensembles, and with close ties to contemporary composers. We’re happy to give him the opportunity to continue his journey with this extraordinary instrument.” With the Scharpach guitar, Martin is in good company. Among the enthusiasts and players of his instruments are jazz/gypsy guitarist Philipp Catherine and nylon-string virtuoso Al di Meola. Martin: “Theo is a ‘crossover’ luthier; I’m a ‘crossover’ player. When I look at the musical scene in the Netherlands, that’s where the future lies. I can’t wait.”
Beautiful length
Then the moment arrives. Martin opens the case. Nestled in the deep green velvet lies The Concertura Dolezza, with its striking grain pattern in the light-colored, matte top. Martin gently places her on his lap. A little nervous, he strums the first chords. He quickly realizes again why he’d fallen for her: “Yes, it really works very well. The tone is so clear, but it also has that roundness to it. And there’s a beautiful sustain to the sound.” Laughing: “Those five centuries of vibrations—they’ve got to come out!” The official paperwork is produced. And against the backdrop of a beautiful recording of “Remgewogen,” the title track of Martin’s latest solo album , the signatures are signed.