Corinne Sutter, the dynamic Swiss multi-talented artist, has recently tested the new Black Ibis Bow and shared her experience, introducing herself as a violinist and composer. She is supported by the internationally renowned cellist Julia Magdalena Sterki.
Julia, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, is now a soloist and chamber musician performing across Europe. Her performances captivate audiences through her intense musicality, expressive sound design, and powerful stage presence. Julia’s music is deeply rooted in emotional connections, with an extraordinary sensitivity to timbres and expressive phrasing that transforms each piece into a compelling narrative.
Corinne Sutter gained global recognition as an action painter and designer, amassing a massive online following with over a billion clicks on social media. She has appeared in various TV reports and was invited as an artistic guest at the jubilee of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and King Frederik X.
In 2009, Corinne suffered a mountaineering accident that resulted in a comminuted fracture of her right hand. Doctors believed she would never play again, but her passion for the violin drove her to overcome these challenges. With a specially crafted silicone prosthesis for her playing hand and sheer determination, she defied the odds. Corinne now takes lessons from internationally acclaimed violinist Anastasiya Petryshak, who has introduced new perspectives to her approach to the violin.
Corinne’s composition Sinteză de viață flows naturally from her fingers. Written in the Hungarian minor scale, the title is a linguistic play on words in Romanian. While the English translation “Synthesis of Life” is close, it misses the political connotation of “Sinteza” as a term for “Gypsy.” The piece portrays life in all its dimensions: the light and beautiful, as well as the melancholy and sad. It explores the interplay between these emotions, almost flirtatiously reveling in them.
Corinne is impressed with the Black Ibis Bow’s handling, noting that it allows for an effortless performance. “You can just let this bow run,” she says. “Even with light pressure, a full, beautiful sound develops. The more I get used to its ease of handling, the more I can focus on interpretation.”
She adds, “The joy of playing with this bow is amazing. It gives me simply more freedom when playing—simply heavenly.”
Julia Magdalena Sterki also tested the Black Ibis Bow on her cello, despite it being a violin bow that is approximately 20 grams lighter than her traditional cello bow. Julia’s playing, known for its profound depth and warmth, was enhanced by the bow.
“The carbon bow has a fascinating radiance that my traditional bow does not produce,” Julia observes. “I immediately felt a sense of precision and directness in the tone, without sacrificing any expression.”
She continues, “My traditional cello bow has a natural warmth, but this bow opens up new tonal possibilities. I am surprised by how immediately it responds and the freedom of articulation it provides.”
Manfred Negatsch, the inventor of the Black Ibis Bow, explains that the cello bow is still in development and further tests will be required. “Why these fins?” he asks. “As a carbon expert in aircraft construction, I understand which elements maintain an aircraft’s stability. The fins were not initially part of the plan; they emerged from various design studies and test series. The goal was always the beauty of the sound, and easier playing and new dynamics are simply added benefits.”
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