A fine Francesco Rugeri circa 1670
Peter Hembrough developed his interest in violin bows during his teenage years when he studied classic French bows and violin making with Arthur Bentley on the Wirral in the UK.
He sold his first bow (he renovated it himself) aged 14 and has dealt in bows ever since!
Many, many years ago …
Peter studied at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester followed by Trinity College of Music studying with Vera Kantrovich, Maciej Rakowski and Natasha Boyarsky. His career spans many different areas including a prolonged time playing in West End musicals including the original Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Oliver at the London Palladium. In 2012 he was chosen by Cameron Mackintosh to co-lead the touring Phantom of the Opera.
Peter was a regular player in the first violin section of the English National Opera Orchestra and has played in many of the leading chamber and symphony orchestras in the UK.
For seven years he was a member of Shirley Bassey’s orchestra touring all over the world. He was Elaine Paige’s favourite leader for her national tours, string advisor to the pop group Take That and appeared at Wembley Stadium with Rod Stewart. Peter has also been active in the film and session world
As a professional violinist he is in the unique position of being able to advise clients on the playing potential of an instrument or bow, as well as understanding its historical context.
“My objective is to bring fine bows to players, to advise on suitability of bows for various playing styles and to marry appropriate bows to clients’ violins. I am committed to restoring fine bows to their former glory both from a historical and an ecological standpoint.”
Knowing many colleagues in the profession gives him an insight into their tastes and requirements, and he never has less than four bows in his case when travelling to a gig.
“I believe it is important for violinists to educate themselves about different bow makers and to realise just what a difference a fine bow can make to their playing”
Peter is happy to chat about bows for hours and you are welcome to visit him in rural Hertfordshire via Hertford North train station (40 minutes from Finsbury Park) at any time to try out bows, or simply for an informal chat about what you are looking for.
Peter plays on a violin by Pietro Guarneri of Mantua c. 1704 and a bow by Joseph Henry c. 1855