Vatelot-Rampal

Born in 1884, of parents from Mirecourt, Marcel was the grand son of a violinmaker from Lorraine called Blaise. He started his apprenticeship in the workshop of Eugène Poirson and then in other Mirecourt workshops. He then came in Paris to improve his knowledge with Charles Brugère and Eugène Marchand.

After a stay in Nantes in the ancient Lété workshop, Marcel Vatelot opened his workshop at 11 bis rue Portalis in 1909. In 1910, he married Marguerite Catherine Hekking, daughter of the famous cellist André Hekking. At thattime, the company was bearing the name « Vatelot-Hekking ».

In spite of the historical problems of those days, Marcel Vatelot managed to make his workshop an important adress for musicians from all over the world.

Marcel was in charge until 1959 when his son Etienne took over.

Born on 13 November 1925 in Provins, Etienne VATELOT started his apprenticeship in 1942 in the workshop of his father, Marcel Vatelot, a renowned expert string instrument maker. He pursued his training in Mirecourt with the master Amédée Dieudonné, then in Massy Palaiseau with the master Victor Quenoil. In 1949 he obtained an Honorary Diploma from the International String Instrument Competition of The Hague (Netherlands).

In 1950, he continued to develop the workshop with his father and paid special attention to tuning for international soloists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Grumiaux, Isaac Stern, Mistlav Rostropovitch, Yo-Yo Ma, Ivry Gitlis, Lorin Maazel and Anne-Sophie Mutter and other famous musicians.

In 1959, Etienne Vatelot officially took over the succession from his father and was appointed expert at the Court of Appeal of Paris.

In 1966, he became President of the French Association of String Instrument and Bow Makers.

In 1970, he created the French school of string instrument making in Mirecourt.

In 1976, he was awarded a prize from the President of France for Artistic Professions. Etienne Vatelot has published a book in two volumes on “French instrument bows”. On his own initiative, and with the support of the city of Paris, he created the international competition of string instrument and bow making. From 1980 to 1997, Etienne Vatelot was president of the Society for the Encouragement of Artistic Professions. He was also elected by his fellow instrument makers to the position of president of the International Cartel of String Instrument and Bow Makers.

In 1989, Etienne Vatelot was given a French Arts and Culture Award. He has been made officer of the National Order of Merit, commander of the Order of the Arts, Knight of Sporting Merit and Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honour. Etienne Vatelot has been awarded numerous accolades throughout his career, including academic awards. After restoring the Stradivarius quartet of the Royal Palace of Madrid, Etienne Vatelot as thanks received the Isabel the Catholic Commander’s Cross.

In 1994, he was appointed Minister of Culture and Minister for Industry, Commerce and the Craft Industry, and president of the Council of Artistic Professions. Etienne Vatelot created the Marcel Vatelot Foundation in order to help young string instrument and bow makers to achieve the very highest level in their profession. He has given numerous lectures throughout the world and has taught string instrument making in his workshop for around fifty French and foreign students.

Born on October 12, 1954 in Paris, Jean-Jacques RAMPAL entered apprenticeship, After two years spent at the Faculty of Medicine, from 1977 to 1980 in Mirecourt, Cradle of the French lutherie, with Jean-Jacques PAGES, Master Luthier, for Learn how to make stringed instruments (violin, cello and viola). Then he went to London with Charles BEARE where he continued to learn high Restoration and expertise of ancient instruments.

In 1983, he returned to Paris in the workshop of the famous luthier Etienne VATELOT and during 15 years he deepens his knowledge of restoration and Restores the instruments of international soloists such as: YO-YO-MA, AnneSophie MUTTER, Slava ROSTROPOVITCH, Boris BELKIN, Salvatore ACCARDO, Isaac STERN, Maxim VENGEROV, Patrice FONTANAROSA, Olivier CHARLIER and well more besides.

In 1994, Jean-Jacques RAMPAL was appointed Expert Near the Court of Appeal of Paris for Stringed instruments. He is also an expert on the instruments of the Orchester de Paris of the Orchestra National of Radio France of the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra of The Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, the Orchester de Lille, the Orchester de Bretagne, The Cannes Provence Orchestra and the Las Palmas Orchestra in the Canary Islands.

In January 1998, Jean-Jacques RAMPAL succeeded the Atelier d’Etienne VATELOT.

Jean-Jacques RAMPAL gives lectures to promote lutherie in the whole world. (Europe, Canada, Korea). Recognized as an International Expert (Several auctions per year), many musicians and Appeal to his knowledge to obtain certificates of authenticity. A violin and cello competition for young musicians is currently name. Jean-Jacques RAMPAL was Vice-President of the Groupement des Luthiers and Archetiers of Art of France. Currently, he is a member of the Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art
France, Member of the International Luthiers et Archetiers Agreement, Vice-President Of the Company of Furnishing Experts Objects of Art and Collection at the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal de Grande Instance, Paris, member Of the European Chamber of Experts of Art and Honorary President of Musicalp.

Jonathan Marolle has worked in the workshop as a luthier since 2005. His insatiable curiosity and passion for expertise led him to work closely with Jean-Jacques Rampal. This relationship evolved naturally into a formal partnership in 2017. Jonathan, who was appointed “Expert près la Cour d’Appel de Paris” in 2019, has forged a solid reputation and is now regularly called upon to conduct expert investigations around the world. He is also a much sought-after lecturer on the history of lutherie and the author of numerous papers.

Cécile Paumier, herself the daughter of a luthier, has been at home in the world of music at large since her earliest childhood, and worked alongside her father for over a decade.

Long-time friends, Jonathan and Cécile aspire to perpetuate the tradition of the Maison Vatelot-Rampal and increase its presence on the international scene.

They are continuously called upon by musicians, patrons, institutions, collectors and foundations seeking to acquire antique instruments or have their own authenticated, thus carrying on the adventure launched in 1909.