Nikolai Ferdinandovich Kittel (1805/6 - 18 April 1868)[1] was a Russian Empire violin and bow maker who is often still mistakenly considered as of
German origin, and was known as the "Russian
Tourte".
According to the latest findings, his full name was Nikolai Ferdinandovich Kittel and that he was of Austrian origin as stated in his marriage certificate. Kittel always signed letters and invoices with the name Nikolai Kittel. In all German and French documents, he was named Nikolai, and not Nikolaus.[2]
In
Czarist Russia, Kittel served as violinmaker to the court, making superb violins which were considered the best made in Russia, and produced bows of unsurpassed quality, often using beautiful highly flamed wood.
The design of Kittel bows is also derived from an advanced Tourte model although this interpretation of Tourte is distinctly different from the French interpretations.
His bows are rare and highly prized by soloists. Kittel bows are nearly always quite light and flexible. Despite their flexibility, Kittel bows have extremely quick playing characteristics alongside a unique beauty of tone.
Kittel died on April 18, 1868, at the age of 63. His obituary stated: 'Thus, in the realm of the bow, the curtain was drawn on a career of memorable achievement'.[4]
"Until the collapse of
Soviet Union (1989-1990), the exact birth date and the date of his death was ambiguous due to lack of factual information from behind the "Iron Curtain", especially due to the many events such as the Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian Civil War, World War I, World War II and of course the Cold War (mid-1940s until the early 1990s). Many of the well known violin/bow books starting with the Lutgendorff (published in 1922) and some who have since copied his "information" (such as the Henley, Roda, Vannes and others), relied on speculation stating his dates as (1839–1870) . To reiterate, the correct date for this maker is: Nikolaus Kittel/ Nikolai Ferdinandovich Kittel b. 1805 – d. April 18, 1868 ".[5] Gennady Filimonov (2007)
"Nikolai Kittel died on April 18, 1868 at the age of 63. His obituary stated: 'Thus, in the realm of the bow, the curtain was drawn on a career of memorable achievement'.[6]
"Heifetz: I prefer my Kittel that Professor Auer gave me as a gift a long time ago. But I don't always use it. I have others. The Kittel must rest. It gets tired. . . sometimes it needs hair." - Jascha Heifetz[7]
Nikolai Ferdinandovich Kittel was born 1805 or 1806 in St. Petersburg, Roman Catholic, Austrian nationality, counted back from his marriage certificate from 27 July 1841, when he marries at the age of 35. E. Vitachek designates the year of birth 1806, however, without documentation.[8]
World record price
London, March, 2015 – A Fine and Rare Cello Bow By Nikolai Kittel, Gold and tortoiseshell mounted stick c. 1850
Tarisio Auctions, London: GBP 143,000 (US$211,543.24)[9]Filimonov Fine Violins - 2015
^ Strad magazine - "Nikolaus Ferder Kittel: The Russian Tourte" by Harvey and Georgeanna Whistler
Jump up ^ The Bows of Nikolai Kittel- Klaus Grünke, Josef P. Gabriel, Yung Chin in co-operation with Darling Publications Andy Lim Cologne, 2011
Jump up ^
Yung Chin fine bows of the violin family
Jump up ^ Strad - 'Favorite Bow' - article by Joseph Gold (recollection of Jasha Heifetz and his Kittel bow)
Jump up ^ Moscow, Russian Federation archives
Jump up ^ Filimonov Fine Violins
Jump up ^ Moscow, Russian Federation archives
Jump up ^ An Interview with Herbert Axelrod", VSA Proceedings, Vol. IV, No. 1, Winter, 1977/78, 1977.
Jump up ^ The Bows of Nikolai Kittel- Klaus Grünke, Josef P. Gabriel, Yung Chin and Andy Lim in co-operation with Darling Publications Andy Lim Cologne, 2011
Jump up ^ Nikolai Kittel- Violoncello, St. Petersburg, 1833, ed. Andy Lim, Darling Publications Andy Lim Cologne, 2011
Bibliography
Moscow, Russian Federation archives
Strad magazine - "Nikolaus Ferder Kittel: The Russian Tourte" by Harvey and Georgeanna Whistler
Strad - 'Favorite Bow' - article by Joseph Gold (recollection of Jasha Heifetz and his Kittel bow)
VSA 14 #2 1995 Nicolaus Kittel: The Russian Tourte by Kenway Lee 183
Jascha Heifetz: An Interview with Herbert Axelrod", VSA Proceedings, Vol. IV, No. 1, Winter, 1977/78, 1977.