The Bowmakers

The Bowmakers

106 mins | Documentary | Sept. 27, 2019

This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.

The Bowmakers

106 mins | Documentary | Sept. 27, 2019

The Bowmakers
This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.
Producers Woody Creek Pictures
Original title The Bowmakers
Directors Ward Serrill
Writers Ward Serrill

Cast

Charles Espey

as Self, bow-maker

Paul Siefried

as Self, bow-maker

Robert Morrow

as Self, bow-maker

Ole Kanestrom

as Self, bow-maker

Cody Kowalski

as Self, bow-maker

Stéphane Tomachot

as Self, bow-maker

Joséphine Tomachot

as Self, bow-maker

Noel Burke

as Self, bow-maker

Johnny Gandelsman

as Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider

Colin Jacobsen

as Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider

Nicholas Cords

as Self, violist, Brooklyn Rider

Michael Nicolas

as Self, cellist, Brooklyn Rider

Joel Link

as Self, violinist, Dover Quartet

Bryan Lee

as Self, violinist, Dover Quartet

Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt

as Self, violist, Dover Quartet

Camden Shaw

as Self, cellis, Dover Quartet

Daniel Ching

as Self, violinist, Miró Quartet

William Fedkenheuer

as Self, violinist, Miró Quartet

John Largess

as Self, violist, Miró Quartet

Joshua Gindele

as Self, cellist, Miró Quartet

Sean Carpenter

as Self, violinist