Violist Geraldine Walther

Geraldine WaltherGeraldine Walther is former violist of the Takács String Quartet and was Principal Violist of the San Francisco Symphony for twenty nine years. She has served as assistant principal of the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Miami Philharmonic.

Geraldine has performed on international stages including Musicians of the World in 1995 under Sir Georg Solti; at chamber music festivals including Mostly Mozart Festival, Marlboro, and Tanglewood; as well as performing in quartets including the Tokyo, Vermeer, and St. Lawrence Quartets.

A native of Florida, she first picked up the viola in a public school music program in Tampa. She went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music and at the Curtis Institute. In 1979 she won first prize at the William Primrose International Competition.

In addition to her recordings for Hyperion with the Takács Quartet, Geraldine’s recordings include Hindemith’s Trauermusik and Der Schwanendreher with the San Francisco Symphony under the London/Decca label, Paul Chihara’s Golden Slumbers with the San Francisco Chamber Singers under the Albany label, Lou Harrison’s Threnody under New Albion, and Delectable Pieces as a member of the Volkert Trio under the Con Brio label.

Geraldine recently served as Interim Director of Chamber Music at Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. She is the mother of two grown daughters and lives in Longmont, Colorado with her husband Tom.

OTHER VIOLISTS

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FINE INSTRUMENT CATALOG

At Benning Violins, we maintain one of the largest selections of fine stringed instruments for sale. Our exceptional collection includes fine violins, fine violas, and fine cellos from renowned old-world masters and contemporary luthiers, including our master violinmaker Eric Benning. Fine violin bows, viola bows, and cello bows crafted by French masters complement our stringed instrument collection.

FINE VIOLINS FOR SALE

We offer an exceptional selection of fine, fully restored violins crafted by old-world masters for examination, trial and purchase. Violins crafted by modern masters round out our collection.

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FINE VIOLAS FOR SALE

We offer a extensive variety of fine, quality violas crafted from the mid-18th Century to the late 21st Century for examination, trial and purchase. Our violas are fully restored and in-stock.

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We offer a catalog of fine, master-crafted cellos by old-world and renowned modern makers for examination, trial and purchase. We offer facilities for trial in our studio’s showroom.

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BENNING INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

We offer violins, violas and cellos crafted by the Benning family of luthiers, made in the style and tradition of the master Cremonese violinmakers, for examination, audition and purchase.

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We offer an extensive and enviable collection of fine violin, viola and cello bows crafted by the renowned French masters, as well as bows by prominent modern makers, for examination, trial and purchase.

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BAROQUE INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

We offer a distinguished selection of fine baroque-era instruments — from Viola da gambas to Viola d’amores — crafted by notable makers, fully restored and available for examination, trial, and purchase.

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