Gabriel Lembock

History

Gabriel Lembock (1814-1892) was born in 1814 in Ofen, Budapest, Hungary, and passed away in 1892 in Vienna, Austria. According to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth, he worked as a journeyman from 1840 and eventually settled in Vienna with Anton Fischer (I), whose son-in-law and successor he became. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the establishment of his own workshop; Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and A Dictionary of Violin Makers by Cecie Stainer state he opened his own workshop in 1840 in Canovastrasse, while Dilworth indicates he took over the shop of Bernhard Stoss in 1855. He was appointed luthier to the court in 1863 and given similar responsibilities at the conservatoire in 1871. Around 1862, he also supplied his instruments to Ede Remenyi in Budapest. After 1875, he retired from the workshop, which was continued by his apprentices. The shop was finally taken over by Carl Haudek in 1893.

Craft

• Models: Lembock made copies of most classical models, but was particularly known for those of the Guarneri del Gesù violin that belonged to Paganini. He also worked after other masters.
• Varnish: His varnish was of a glassy consistency and appeared in various shades.
• Output: He was a prolific violin maker; his violas are described as rather small and rarely encountered, and few cellos are recorded.
• Repairs: He was celebrated for his skill in repairing old instruments.
• Experiments: He made various interesting experiments, including building violins with cedarwood tops, which were said to have a very soft tone.
• Tone: The tone of his violins was consistently good.

Influence

• Training: He was a pupil of Peter Teufelsdorfer and J. B. Schweitzer.
• Mentorship: He worked as a journeyman with Anton Fischer (I) in Vienna, later becoming his son-in-law and successor.
• Apprentices: His workshop was continued by apprentices including Josef Sollner, Karl Hermann Voigt, Alexander Ferenczy, and August Setzer.

Legacy

• Awards: He was awarded prizes at Munich in 1854 and London in 1862.
• Appointments: He was appointed luthier to the court in 1863 and to the conservatoire in 1871.
• Succession: His business was succeeded by Carl Haudek in 1893, who had worked with Lembock.

Further Information

• Branding: His instruments were branded with two separate stamps, 'G' and 'L', in several places.
• Labels: Printed labels included 'Gabriel Lemböck / Vienna Anno 1846', 'Gabriel Lemböck in Wien / anno 1867 Kais. Königl. Hof- Instrumentenmacher', 'Gabriel Lemböck / Bestes aller Weltausstellungen-medaillen / Wien, 1873. / I., Canovagasse Nr 4.', 'Gabrielis Lemböck / Vienna Anno 1846', 'Gabriel Lemböck fecit secundum / Josephi Guarneri Cremonensis ori- / ginale ex Nicolai Paganini Concer- / tuosa Violina. / Viennae Anno 1852.', and 'I.H.S. Gabriel Lemböck / K.K. Hof-Instrumentenmacher. 1863 [Benedek]'.
• Workshop Location: His workshop was located in Canovagasse, Vienna.

Summary

Gabriel Lembock was a prominent Austrian luthier born in Budapest in 1814, who later settled in Vienna. He was a pupil of Peter Teufelsdorfer and J. B. Schweitzer, and became the son-in-law and successor to Anton Fischer (I). Lembock was known for his prolific output, particularly his copies of classical models, especially those of Guarneri del Gesù, and his skill in repairing old instruments. He received awards at Munich in 1854 and London in 1862, and was appointed luthier to the Imperial Court and the conservatoire. His workshop, which he retired from in 1875, was eventually taken over by Carl Haudek in 1893.