François Roudhloff
(1781-1849)
The Duo Odelia plays two guitars by François Roudhloff, probably from 1825.
Originally from the Vosges (France), this luthier is part of the École de Mirecourt.
​
Not played for years, these instruments bore the imprint of time with cracks and detached parts.
​
Today, thanks to the craftsmanship of Bernhard Kresse and Romuald Provost, the two luthiers who restored them in 2019, we can make them sound again.
These romantic guitars are smaller and lighter than today’s classical guitars.
​
The soundboard is made of spruce, the back and sides are made of maple, the bridge and fretboard of ebony and the neck and head of veneered and stained basswood.
​​
​
The rosette and sides are elegantly decorated with patterns, quite plain on the guitar played by Alice and more elaborate on Marie’s guitar.
​​
​
The Duo’s two guitars have a false Gennaro Fabricatore label over the Roudhloff label, probably because the Italian luthier’s reputation made the instrument more valuable.
The meticulousness of 19th century’s lutherie offers a wide range of sound colours and allows great flexibility in phrasing.
​
"Sonically Roudhloffs instruments impress by a velvety dark but very strong tone of unusual substance."
Bernhard Kresse
