Otto Schunemann

History

Otto SCHUNEMANN (1837-1914) was born in Dargun, Germany, and later died in Hamburg. He initially received training as a violinist from Music Director Carl Schulz in Rostock. Following this, he traveled to Dresden, Leipzig, and then to Prague with Dr. Wirsing, where he began his initial experiments in violin making. He found such enjoyment in this craft that he decided to dedicate himself entirely to the art. He subsequently moved to Hamburg, working as a first violinist, and utilized every spare moment to make violins. After nine years of diligent study, he presented his work to the public. He gained universal recognition, with notable violinists such as Brodsky, Hali?, Heermann, and Sarasate performing on his instruments in concerts. Otto Schunemann was called to Schwerin to direct the German Violin Maker's School, which was established there on November 2, 1887, under the patronage of the Grand Duke. According to John Dilworth, the school was founded in 1888 with the patronage of the Duke of Mecklenburg. Despite the school's success, he did not find the desired scope of activity in Schwerin in the long term and therefore returned to Hamburg, where he lived as a respected and busy violin maker. He returned to Hamburg in 1898.

Craft

• Workmanship: Otto Schunemann's instruments are described by John Dilworth as finely made, featuring a compact model with a flat arch, a large scroll, and fine materials.
• Varnish: His instruments are noted for their red-brown varnish.
• Performance: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, his violins were played in concerts by prominent musicians including Brodsky, Hali?, Heermann, and Sarasate, indicating their high quality and playability.

Influence

• Musical Training: He was trained as a violinist by Music Director Carl Schulz in Rostock.
• Early Mentorship: His initial forays into violin making in Prague were influenced by Dr. Wirsing.
• Self-Taught Development: John Dilworth notes that he was mainly self-taught in Hamburg, dedicating his free time to the craft while working as a first violinist.

Legacy

• Educational Leadership: Otto Schunemann was appointed Director of the German Violin Maker's School in Schwerin, which was established on November 2, 1887, under the patronage of the Grand Duke. John Dilworth specifies the founding year as 1888 under the patronage of the Duke of Mecklenburg.
• Artistic Recognition: He achieved universal recognition for his work, with his violins being performed by renowned musicians such as Brodsky, Hali?, Heermann, and Sarasate.

Further Information

• Label Inscription: An example of his label reads: 'Deutsche Geigenmacher Schule / Otto Schünemann / Schwerin i M. 1892'.
• Workshop Locations: He worked in Hamburg, Prague, and Schwerin, eventually returning to Hamburg.

Summary

Otto Schunemann (1837-1914) was a German luthier and violinist born in Dargun. Initially trained as a violinist by Carl Schulz, he began making violins in Prague under the influence of Dr. Wirsing. Largely self-taught in Hamburg, he gained significant recognition for his finely crafted instruments, which were played by notable musicians like Sarasate. He served as the director of the German Violin Maker's School in Schwerin from 1887/1888 until his return to Hamburg in 1898, where he continued his respected work as a violin maker.