Ekkard and Ferdinand Seidl 

The German town of Markneukirchen has been famous for its musical instrument workshops for more than 400 years. In one of them – Meisterwerkstatt Voigt – Ekkard Seidl began his education in 1979. He then continued his studies abroad, as well as with a family friend, master luthier Hans Zölch (1904–1984), who shared the secrets of building string instruments, gambas, zithers and violas d’amore. 

In 1985, Ekkard Seidl launched his own studio. Today, he employs three people, including his wife Petra, who runs the office, and his son Ferdinand. Every year, the studio manufactures some 15 instruments. Most of them become reliable partners for musicians winning contests and auditions.  

 

Ferdinand began his musical education by learning to play the percussion instruments, which allowed him to fully understand the complexity of music. In 2023, he graduated with honours in lutherie as the best student of his year. He is specialised in building highly regarded cellos; he offers six models of this instrument.  

Expressing feelings and telling a story without words is an art that requires the right tool. Ekkard Seidl’s master studio has the right combination of knowledge and experience to provide musicians with such tools – violins, violas and cellos – both contemporary and historical – as well as violas d’amore, built in three sizes with 12 or 14 strings.  

 

The instruments crafted by Ekkard and Ferdinand Seidl will be on display in Kraków during the Strings Days! exhibition as part of the Misteria Paschalia Festival.