Players Archive

LUIS AND CLARK CARBON FIBER VIOLIN, $5000, tux, $500, blindfold, $5, music director with a sense of humor, PRICELESS!

hi luis…got your message. i’m sorry but we have a double that day and i won’t be able to get away for your recital.  turns out i do have a picture for you.  (see attached)

this was taken during a TOSCA performance at lyric.  the firing squad has a brush-up rehearsal during the 2nd intermission.  the man with the upraised sword is sir andrew davis, our music director at lyric.  this picture just appeared in the INTERMEZZO, the chicago local’s union paper on the back page.  the caption read “LUIS AND CLARK CARBON FIBER VIOLIN, $5000, tux, $500, blindfold, $5, music director with a sense of humor, PRICELESS!”
i still play my carbon fiber violin exclusively and i’m still loving it. i had 2 but i sold one to a colleague in the orchestra, who plays it as a backup at home.  i’m finding that helicore strings work very nicely on it and even out-perform the dominants.

happy new year, and best to steph!

cheers…pete labella

Yo-Yo Ma

yo yo small“I really love this instrument… we can play music that is traditional, but actually we are using technology to make it better.”
Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist

Niklas Schwarz

niklas_small“My viola is fun to play and it is as easy to produce a big sound as it is to play soft. Every time I take this instrument out of its case, I instantly get exited and can not wait to start playing!”
Niklas Schwarz, Principal violist of the Essener Philharmoniker and violist of the Mannheimer Streichquartett

Michael Bacon

michael bacon1“My Luis and Clark carbon fiber cello stays with me every step of the way. From the most intimate recording session to the raucous demands of performing and traveling. I’m a believer.”
Michael Bacon, The Bacon Brothers

Philip Heyman

philip_small“My Luis and Clark has a marvelous sound and plays easily.”
Philip Heyman, Principal violist of the Welsh National Opera

Alexander Mishnaevski

sasha_small2“My Luis and Clark viola is very easy and a pleasure to play in the orchestra, including orchestral solos, producing very rich and powerful sound, complemented by numerous remarks from the audience members.”
Alexander Mishnaevski, Principal Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Carol Proctor

carol proctor“My Luis & Clark cello, with its truly stunning sound and elegant appearance, presents an invitation for any cellist to take a leap into the future of music-making. I use it for country, classical and jazz—I love it!”
Carol Procter, Cellist, Boston Symphony Orchestra

Ben Sollee

ben sollee“Playing jazz, blues, or the classics, it weeps, it growls, and it cuts…
The Luis and Clark carbon fiber cello is leaping across boundaries with the clear, wise sound of a classic and a new edge that is all its own—all this with a sleek, cool look that is both modern and urban.”
Ben Sollee, recording artist

Stefan Maneth

stefan_small“My Luis and Clark has much power, depth, and body to the sound, as if it were a much larger viola.  Also it is very easy to play.”
Stefan Maneth, violist, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra