Few Luthiers can claim to have studied their art from the age of twelve, but then few enjoy the international reputation of René Morel whose early experience was gained in the workshops of Marius Didier, Amédée Dieudonne in Mirecourt and Bossard Bonnel in Rennes.

From 1955 to 1964, he worked with Simone Sacconi at Wurlitzer's in New York where his skill at restoration and setting up string instruments attracted the attention of string players throughout the world.

In 1964 he opened his shop at Jacques Français in New York. M. Morel applied his skill of tool handling from the French school together with the new ideas learned with Maestro Sacconi. For almost 30 years, he had worked to develop new systems and methods of restoration. M. Morel's advancements are accepted worldwide and effectively improve not only the quality of the work, but also the sound of the instruments themselves.

February 1, 1994 marked the opening in New York of René A. Morel Rare Violins, which expanded his expertise to include dealing. With the start of 1999, Morel & Gradoux-Matt, Inc. will continue to restore, repair and deal instruments and bows. René is now in constant demand for sound adjustment by all the leading international string players, has served on the juries of countless violin making competitions, while remaining one of the most influential luthiers and teachers in the world.

M. Morel holds offices in both the International Society of Violin and Bow Makers (Entente) as well as the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. As the Vice President of the Entente, he is already planning for the meeting in San Francisco set for the year 2001. When he is not cutting wood for violins, René keeps fit by landscaping at his home far away from the city. He enjoys being close to the earth, horticulture and gardening occupy his free time. M. Morel also pursues hunting when he is not otherwise engaged, although his favorite hunting ground happens to be Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. A bon vivant, M. Morel hopes to retire someday to his own vineyard, but in the meantime his favorite wines can be purchased through the Sherry-Lehmann catalogue. When he entertains here in the city, he frequents René Pujol, Restaurant Français, 321 West 51st Street, (212) 246-3023, (212) 246-3049, La Côte Basque, 60 W. 55th Street, (212) 688-6525, and Les Sans Culottes, 329 West 51st Street, (between 8th and 9th Avenues), (212) 582-1283, (212) 974-9052.

Emmanuel Gradoux-Matt was schooled in the methods of violin-making in both Europe and the United States. His experience in various ateliers includes: Pierre Gerber in Lausanne, Switzerland, who was the most prominent influence on developing his early interest in the artistic, social, and musical aspects of the violin-making trade, Emmanuel's short time with W.E. Hill & Sons in Great Missenden, England, and at Jacques Francais in New York, under the direction of René A. Morel.

For nearly 17 years, Emmanuel has worked with René, developing new methods of restoration and repair. He can often be found restoring the world's most famous instruments, some of them major operations which can take months or even years, especially for the very difficult and intricate projects. Much time is also devoted to teaching these techniques to his fellow workers. In addition, Emmanuel does sound adjustments by appointment for some of the world's most distinguished soloists, ensemble, and orchestra players. Emmanuel's expertise and vast knowledge of the various violin-making schools are the ideal complement to René's own knowledge. Mr. Gradoux-Matt will soon publish a dictionary of violin-makers, collected from his years of research. Emmanuel is now co-owner and partner of Morel & Gradoux-Matt, Inc.. in which capacity he also serves as the Vice President of the company.