Hermann Wilhelm Prell

Hermann Wilhelm Prell (1875–1925) was a skillful German Bogenmacher / Bowmaker. He was born on July 29, 1875 in Bad Brambach, Germany.

Hermann Wilhelm spent his formative years as a pupil of Heinrich Hoyer.

In the early years afterwards he worked for Albert Nurnberger (1893–1895) and (1896).

The following year (1897) he went to Paris to learn from Eugène Sartory. He established himself independently in Markneukirchen upon his return in 1898 where he lived and worked until his death on 4 April 1925.^[1]

Prell went on to become an internationally renowned bow maker.

Quotes[]

Sartory left an indelible mark on the young Hermann Wilhelm, as can be seen in the bows of his manufacture (the heads as well as the frog design etc.) - Gennady Filimonov

"Prell's bows were highly regarded by many of the top players of his time (circa 1920's), as was advertised in "The Music Trade Review. (NYC-September 23, 1922)

"Beauty of design and perfect balance gives to these bows a super eminent value." - W. Henley

References[]

• Die Geigen und Lautenmacher - by Lutgendorff, Frankfurt 1922
• Encyclopedia of the Violin - Alberto Bachmann
• Roda, Joseph (1959). Bows for Musical Instruments. Chicago: W. Lewis. OCLC 906667.
• Vannes, Rene (1985) [1951]. Dictionnaire Universel del Luthiers (vol.3). Bruxelles: Les Amis de la musique. OCLC 53749830.
• William, Henley (1969). Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers. Brighton; England: Amati. ISBN 0-901424-00-5.
• Deutsche Bogenmacher-German Bow Makers Klaus Grunke, Hans Karl Schmidt, Wolfgang Zunterer 2000