Breaking Free from Beautiful Sameness
Baroque Violins & Violas Built on Ancient Acoustic Principles, Not Just Measurements
We didn’t lose what moved the Old Masters because it was outdated. We replaced it with arrogance and called it progress. Today’s Early Music doesn’t need louder sounds—it needs deeper voices.
WATCH THE STORY
What if mastery isn't the destination, but the obstacle?
My first violin won a competition—but the victory felt empty. After years of search, I smashed it in splinters against the fireplace. But, it wasn’t a defeat. It was the start of something real.
Here’s the problem many Baroque string players face:
We’re told to chase perfection, to match accepted standards, and to copy what’s already been done. And whatever you do, don’t dare to be free. But the old masters knew music isn’t about perfection in millimeters. It’s about harmonies encoded in wood that move people. A form of reverence - in sound. Here is the thing:
In a world obsessed with imitation, the true revolution is creation. Not just sound—but voice. If you’re done playing it safe, complying, maybe it’s time to reclaim your freedom to create. And inspire that freedom in everyone who hears you play.
Beyond Science, Not Against It
My approach to violin making isn't about rejecting technical perfection—it's about restoring what was lost.
Bridging the Gap
The Old Masters
The Old Masters spoke in music: "Harmonical ratio is a natural division of a vibrating body resulting in musical intervals." —Vitruvius
Today's Acousticians
Today's acousticians speak in jargon: "The acoustic response was measured by tapping the bass-side top corner of the bridge in a direction parallel to the plates. This simulates the component of the bowed string force in the same direction. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the recorded sound has been normalized to that of the force of the light impact hammer exciting the violin modes." —Acoustics Today
What was lost wasn't technical understanding—it was musical soul.
For you, this means something simple: Play your violin the way that moves you. I'll translate that expression into wood using forgotten principles that transform mathematics into music. The Old Masters T.O.N.E.S. Technique™ doesn't replace your knowledge—it reveals what's been missing.
"I cannot explain why, but his instruments have purely Italian character" ~ Renato Scrollavezza, Violin Maker
For Musical Trailblazers, Not Sonic Conformists
I don't make violins for:
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Musicians seeking status symbols.
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Players who want to sound like everyone else.
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Those who believe technical perfection is the ultimate goal.
Each Badiarov violin is crafted for musicians who understand that in a world where technical mastery has become the baseline, being meaningfully different matters more than being marginally better. These instruments are for the cultural warriors who recognize that great music isn't just technically impressive—it's transformative.
The Old Masters T.O.N.E.S. Technique™ Approach
Whether you're seeking a baroque violin that responds authentically to historical technique or a modern instrument that stands out in contemporary settings, the foundations remains the same:
Your Musical Identity
We Begin With Your Musical Identity – Not just your "playing style" but your deeper artistic aspirations.
Your Unique Expression
We Design For Your Unique Expression – An instrument crafted specifically for your voice, not a copy of something famous.
Forgotten Acoustic Principles
We Apply Forgotten Acoustic Principles – The harmonic architecture most modern makers have abandoned.
The result isn't just another violin. It's an instrument that helps you tell stories only you can tell.
For Musicians Seeking To Inspire
Dmitry has such unique ideas, and his violins have unique characters. I own three of his instruments. I don't know anybody who has this intelligence and originality in their making.
It sounds great! I also get compliments from people about the violin, so I talk about you loudly.
A wonderful violin-maker, a true artist, always in research, never blindly copying anything but following his highest aesthetic standards based on profound knowledge of the whole culture and spirit of the baroque period (among others)… Many thanks, again!
I searched for a very long time for a smaller violin because I am a small person, and above all, I have small hands. Then, whether by coincidence, luck, or destiny, I found my way to Dmitri. I once sent him a drawing of my hand, and from that moment, the process began. The result is this beautiful violin that fits me perfectly. I’m truly happy — it fits my hand, it fits my music, and it fits my life.
I often experienced shoulder pain, and playing in first position was difficult due to the large spacing. Dmitry built a slightly smaller instrument for me, perfectly measured to eliminate the pain and make playing first position effortless. What’s truly remarkable is that, despite its smaller size, the sound is just as full and resonant as a standard full-size violin — it competes easily with any traditional instrument. If you are looking for a custom violin design, I can wholeheartedly recommend Dmitry Badiarov as the violin maker to trust.
More Testimonials
Hear a Badiarov Baroque Violin in Concert
While You're Here:
Discover the Forgotten Instrument That's Changing How Violinists Experience Bach
"In its ethos, Da Spalla is situated somewhere between Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Anner Bylsma’s Bach, the fencing master."
~ Laurence Vittes, Editorial contributor to Gramophone, Strings, The Strad and the BBC Music Magazine
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