maker
CHRISTOPHER DUNGEY GIVES CELLOS THEIR VOICE Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman
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ith fastidious craftsmanship, award-
Over 400 hours go into creating each cello
winning Christopher Dungey has been
with meticulous detail, perfecting the critical
creating custom-made cellos for 40 years. He
feature a cellist is looking for — the cello’s
follows the history and traditions established
“voice.” As every cellist has a unique voice, so
hundreds of years ago by great makers such as
does every cello.
Montagnana, Goffriller and Stradivarius.
“They made very viable instruments that
piece of wood has its own working properties
haven’t been tinkered with much over time,”
and characteristics that, once assembled, will
Dungey says. “I’m trying to replicate what they
dictate what that instrument’s voice will sound
did — their approach, what they were thinking,
like,” explains Dungey.
why they sculpted it this way or picked the
wood they did.”
and international professional principal cellists,
“From maple to spruce and ebony, each
Dungey’s customers range from national
