The violin doctor is dead
mainIsaac Stern called him a doctor for violins and Yo Yo Ma said there was no-one he would trust more if he needed surgery. All of Ivan Galamian’s best pupils at Juilliard went to him with their instrumental aches and pains. Others came from as far off as Peabody. René Morel had time for them all, even the violas. Especially the violas.
A Frenchman, descended from a long line of luthiers, he came to New York in 1955 after service in the French air force and never left.
Here‘s a full appreciation on violinist.com.
There is with great sadness we have received the news of the passing of Rene. Even though we knew he was very sick, the news come as a shock. He has meant so much to me and my Guadagnini over the years. His sound adjustments were always on the spot and he could read what I wanted. When I didn’t know what I was looking for in sound, Rene would come up with a suggestion which I immediately could grasp.
A very important person for the whole string world has passed away. I am happy that I have had the opportunity to take advantage of his knowledge, last time at his home in October. I am also happy that Rene managed to educate a successor. He described violin maker Stefan Valcuha as his son and in this way we know that Rene’s legacy will live on.