François Xavier Tourte (1748-1835)
François Xavier Tourte “le Jeune”
Although he began his career as a clockmaker, François Xavier Tourte (1748-1835) stands out as the most important figure in modern bow-making. He elevated archeterie to its own art and showed that even the most beautifully crafted string instruments just can’t sing properly without an equally impressive bow.
Around 1774, Tourte shifted from clocks to bows, and in this early period, he likely collaborated with his brother, Nicolas Léonard Tourte. By 1800, Tourte had opened up his Parisian workshop, marking the beginning of his “Golden Age.”
Tourte was born at a crucial moment in music history, as the last vestiges of the Baroque era disappeared. The height of the Classical period called for expanded capabilities, and hints of Romanticism were already appearing. Archetiers were also beginning to recognize the possibilities offered by Brazilian Pernambuco wood.
Tourte’s bows responded to shifts in violin technique, lutherie, and musical composition, and his innovations allowed string instruments to produce new colors. Tourte’s model included a lengthened stick, concave shape, and new screws and ferrules– creating the first truly recognizable modern bow.
Virtuoso violinist Giovanni Battista Viotti realized the expressive capabilities of Tourte’s bows, and he became Tourte’s biggest advocate. Viotti recommended the bows to his students. When they eventually joined the faculty at the newly founded Paris Conservatory, Viotti’s students ensured that Tourte’s bows became the new standard for string players.
