Biography

PIERRE-YVES FUCHS

Pierre-Yves Fuchs was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. As his grandfather and father, he learnt the craft of cabinetry. As a child he started playing the violin and it was his destiny to master in violin making and later in bow making (with Gilles Duhaut, Pierre Guillaume and Benoit Rolland). He first studied violin making in Brienz swiss school and restoration with Amnon Weinstein  in Tel Aviv. In 1997 he established his own company, Fuchs & Chaxel Sàrl, in collaboration with his wife Marjorie Chaxel also violin maker. In 2004 he won important competitions in the USA, London and Paris. He won the titel „unrivalled“ in both competitions. In 2006, he was juror of the VSA competition in the United States.

His style is inspired by Pecatte, Maire and Pajeot. The dark wood he uses for his bow sticks is a reminder of these masters.

Prizes and awards:

• Gold medal contrabass, 3 awards of merit violin, viola, violoncello USA (VSA) 2000
• Gold medal viola, 3 awards of merit violin, violoncello, contrabass USA (VSA) 2002
• Bronze medal violin London (BVMA) 2004
• 4 Gold medals violin, viola, violoncello, contrabass USA (VSA) 2004
• Silver medal violoncello, gold medal contrabass Paris (Etienne Vatelot) 2004