Benning Violins

Benning Violins
Luthier
Founded 1950
Founder Paul Toenniges
Headquarters Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, Los Angeles, US
Products Violins, violas, cellos
Services Craft, restoration, repair
Owner Eric Benning
Website Official website

Benning Violins is a California-based luthier business, crafting, restoring and repairing violins, violas and cellos since its opening in 1950 as Studio City Music. In 1953, it moved to its current location on Ventura Boulevard.[1] Learning the craft from his brother-in-law, Carl Becker Sr., Paul Toenniges worked in William Lewis & Son in Chicago, and later under Rudolf Wurlitzer, finally opening his first studio in Los Angeles.[2] Crafting up to five instruments a year, they sell for approximately 30-42 thousand dollars.[3]

Nancy, one of his daughters, together with her husband, Hans Benning, took over the studio in 1968 after Paul's retirement. Nancy and Hans studied violin making at the Violinmaking School in Mittenwald. Eric Benning, Nancy and Hans' son currently runs the business, while his son Nathan also performs as a luthier.[2][4]

Notable musicians who bought Benning instruments include Paul Coletti, Sid Weiss, Victor Gaskin (used while recording Duke Ellington's 70th Birthday Concert) and Arnold Jacobs,[5] while Hans Benning restored and maintained several of Jascha Heifetz's instruments during the latter part of his life.[6] Benning Violins also maintained some of Nathaniel Ayers' violins.[7]

The Benning family has a music academy in Mexico named after them, the Benning Academia de Musica, to which they donate many instruments. They have visited the academy in Ensenada, Baja California about once a fortnight since 1978.[8]

Hans Benning
Nathan and Eric Benning

Paul Toenniges

Its founder, Paul Toenniges, was born in De Kalb, Illinois to Frederic and Elizabeth Toenniges on December 18, 1908. After graduating from DeKalb High School in 1925, he moved to Chicago to work with Lewis & Son while living with Carl Becker, a prominent luthier.[5]

In 1934, Toenniges married Ruth Breinstein. During WWII, Paul resorted to American curly birch, given European wood became unavailable. In 1946, he moved to LA together with his wife, and started working at the Wurlitzer Violin Collection, making instruments at home during his own time. Realising he wanted to dedicate to the restoration and sale of fine instruments, he set up shop in 1953. At the time, he sold all types of instruments, involving his two daughters in the business by 1956, Nancy in particular.[5]

Nancy attended the renowned violin making school in Mittenwald, where she met her future husband. They ran the studio since the late 1970s until recently.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Susan Caust Farrell (1981). Directory of Contemporary American Musical Instrument Makers. University of Missouri Press. pp. 138–. ISBN 978-0-8262-0322-9.
  2. 1 2 "Benning Violins – Continuing A Long and Remarkable Legacy". The Tolucan Times. The Tolucan Times. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Bartholomew, Dana. "14-year-old becomes a fourth-generation violin craftsman at Studio City Music". Los Angeles Daily News. Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Lopez, Steve. "Old World craft of violin-making is alive in Studio City". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 International Society of Bassists. Society, [1982]-c1996. 1988.
  6. ↑ FOSTER, R. DANIEL. "Carving Their Own Niche : Studio City Music handcrafts and repairs violins, violas and cellos--an age-old art that is enjoying a renaissance.". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Lopez, Steve. "Violinist Has the World on 2 Strings". LA Times. LA Times. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Lopez, Steve. "Couple's mission in Mexico combines faith and service". LA Times. LA Times. Retrieved 23 March 2015.

Further reading

External links

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