Baroque Viola Bernd Hiller

Baroque Viola by Bernd Hiller – Riebl Model

The baroque viola by Bernd Hiller is a handcrafted master instrument built in 2026, inspired and designed for musicians seeking an authentic baroque sound aesthetic. Combining traditional construction methods with precise modern craftsmanship, this instrument is created for historically informed performance and refined chamber music playing.

Authentic Baroque Sound and Construction

Built from carefully selected, naturally aged Alpine tonewood, this baroque viola offers a warm, open, and highly responsive sound character. The finely grained spruce top provides immediate response and clarity, while the flamed maple back and ribs contribute depth, warmth, and tonal stability.

Equipped with gut strings and a traditional baroque short neck, the instrument produces a soft yet projecting tone with rich overtones and natural resonance — ideal for early music repertoire and historically informed performance practice.

Materials and Historical Details

The viola features a maple fingerboard and tailpiece veneered with ebony, following historical baroque construction principles while maintaining elegance and durability. The traditional hand-applied varnish, inspired by old Italian methods, allows the wood to vibrate freely and enhances the instrument’s tonal complexity.

Playability and Musical Expression

The balanced proportions and short neck setup allow comfortable playability and precise articulation across all registers. Instruments by Bernd Hiller are known for their easy response, expressive flexibility, and refined tonal balance, making them suitable for professional musicians and advanced players alike.

Technical Specifications

Body length: 405 mm
String length: 364 mm
Baroque setup with short neck
Fingerboard and tailpiece: maple veneered with ebony
Strings: gut strings
Handcrafted in Regensburg, Germany – 2026

Each instrument is delivered with a certificate issued by master luthier Bernd Hiller.