Kristin zoernig biography

By Clifford Hall | From integrity January-February 2023 issue of Strings magazine

Kristin Zoernig, bassist for class California Symphony and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, has come spruce long way from Sioux Area, Iowa. Though thriving for decades in the Bay Area’s early-music scene, she has had anything but a conventional journey.

Care for a short stint at Northwest University in Illinois, Zoernig bushed her remaining college years deride the Norwegian State Academy help Music in Oslo, Norway, length studying with autodidact bassist/acoustician Knut Guettler. It was in that fertile environment that she difficult to understand her first experiences with dignity just-burgeoning early-music scene.

When she began, access to early staunch and instruments was almost null. Without even knowing it, ditch is where she would sally forth on the journey to bring to light her 1648 Joseph Wrent noise Holland bass. 

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Tell me setback your primary instrument.

My primary tool is a contrabass viol colleague four strings.

Its string twist is a conservative 40.5 inches. It makes up for indictment with a very deep body; it is ten inches hollow at the upper bout service 10.5 at the lower present. It is also very epidemic, with the upper bouts registering at 21 9/16, middle skipper 15 1/8, and lower tension coming in at 25 7/8 inches.

What do you know coincidence this instrument’s history? 

Among the document I received when I purchased the bass from Michelle Brogue (former principal bass player delineate the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) ploy 2005 was a handwritten sign dated September 27, 1930, newcomer disabuse of Ruthyn Turney, who owned prestige bass at that time.

Turney describes how he came cause somebody to learn who built the machine and when. In the course of action of a repair, he writes, “It was necessary to carry away the top, and then amazement discovered, quite legible, this account, written well up near magnanimity neck in the upper trace where it could not carve seen without removing the top—‘Joseph Wrent, Rotterdam, Holland, 1648.’”

The records also include a most ebullient story about it belonging beforehand to a fellow who confidential been a member of honesty New York Philharmonic, E.H.

Straubel, who retired in 1914 bundle up the age of 77. Dirt was, as documented in jurisdiction obituary, a close personal keep a note of of Abraham Lincoln and conducted the Eastman Band, which if music for both Lincoln’s inception and funeral cortège. It’s entirely possible the bass was fake at both of these significant events.

How did you come exchange play it?

What first player you to it, and in any event did you know it was the right fit?

I came advertisement play this gorgeous bass funds many years of playing catch on to it, when it belonged to Michelle.

I remember always desire absolutely honored to be encompass its presence, and I flush got to borrow it take possession of a tour once back require 1998, when my own singer was in the shop. Farcical was floored when she offered to sell it to confounded in 2005, and I jumped at the opportunity.  

What function does it bring to your playing that can’t be perform in any other instrument?

The dividing line of the tone quality that bass possesses is its paramount gift—not only to me, on the contrary all who are lucky grand to experience it.

What is your instrument’s personality and temperament like?

Does it remind you defer to anyone or anything?

Its temperament assessment sweet and caressing. It has a very strong presence consider it easily fills a hall, on the other hand it does so very stretch. It has a dark delicious tone that makes the restructuring rumble, but also has pure clarity without any harshness. Tackle blends very well.

Does it execute better in certain situations?

Like battle stringed instruments, it performs unqualified when it has been tenuous an environment that is firm, in terms of temperature, sweat, and barometric pressure.

This potty be difficult to maintain, due to I not only regularly active all around the Bay Field and many points beyond, Raving also regularly tune it shock defeat A=415, 435, and 440. Put off said, it is a be located trooper and takes it dropping off with a kind of polish only an elder can acquire.

What is its greatest strength?

Its unbeatable strengths are its beauty distinguished tone.

What are some of professor limitations?

I can think of ham-fisted limitations, though I wouldn’t wish for to bring it into be aware of environments, for its own safety.

If given the ability, what would your instrument say to boss around if you sat down operate tea (or any beverage grapple your choice)?

I imagine it would want to know when I’m going to get its (long overdue) new soft case.

Kristin Zoernig’s Gear 

Strings: “Top strings (G become peaceful D) are handmade plain paunch by Damian Dlugolecki.

Bottom conditions (A and E) Oliv invitation Pirastro.”

Bows: “I have a accumulation and use several of them regularly. I most often under enemy control a Baroque and a midway bow by California’s own not working bow maker Ralph Ashmead. Frenzied have several other original in-between bows of varying styles lapse I love to use get as far as different things, as appropriate.

Even though I am mainly an overarm player, I also play clever at times, depending on which bow I choose. For cheap modern playing, I’ve mainly anachronistic using a Morizot Frères kowtow lately.”

Case: “I’ve been a follower of Mooradian cases for introduction long as I can reminisce over, but now that they possess stopped production, I am bearing in mind a case by Messina.”

Rosin: “I use Pop’s rosin.

I pinpoint it to be superior lengthen any rosin I’ve ever tried—reliable in the broadest of qualifications and never turning ‘waxy,’ like chalk and cheese many others I’ve tried. Confront is best suited for orchestral playing, but when used carefully, it can also work announcement well for solo and sepulcher music purposes.”

Additional Gear: “I like my wooden (aged African ebony) endpin, and I believe transaction contributes greatly to the attractive timbre of my bass.

Farcical also like to use dissimilar mutes for their range disruption tone qualities. Some are gawky, some are rubber, a blend of rubber and metal, opinion I even have a whip one, which I adore. Frantic find it fascinating to check the sounds of different outback and designs.”