Alajos Werner

John Dilworth

WERNER, Alajos Born 1886, died 1976 Budapest Hungary. Connection to the Bohemian Werner family, if any, unknown. Apprenticed to A. Bergmann from 1900. Employed by M. Reményi 1904-1910 and by C. Haudek in Vienna 1910-1911. Moved to Poller in Vienna 1911-1913, Fiorini in Munich 1914, Hug in Zurich 1915, and Hill in London 1915-1916. Returned to Budapest worked for W. J. Schunda to 1929, establishing himself independently in that year in Magyar Street. Appointed luthier to the royal opera and conservatoire and head of the board of Master Examiners of Violin Makers in 1950. Employed M. Frirsz, father and son, and other workers engaged in wind instrument making. Produced well over 180 violins, four violas, and four cellos. Fine work on classical models. Golden-yellow and orange shades of varnish. Fine materials and beautifully finished. Werner Alajos / Hegedükészitömester / M.kir Opera szállitója / Budapest Op. 119. WA [Benedek]