Winner of the German Musical Instrument Award 2004 and 2012
German Musical Instrument Award DMIP
This awardis given by the German Federal Finance and Labour Ministry to members of the music industry, in recognition of their products’ outstanding qualities. It is presented annually at the International Music Fair in Frankfurt am Main. In 2004, the award was presented to me in the presence of the then German President, Johannes Rau, and the representatives of the Federal Finance and Labour Ministry.
The instruments are strung with Pirastro strings. 
Judges’ Assessment 2004
The “Stradivari” cello, made by Thomas Stöhr, is gracefully proportioned, allowing even relatively small peaople to handle the instrument with ease. During production, the characteristics of the wood received particular consideration. Great value was placed on detailed workmanship. The jury assessed the cello as “excellent” in its playing characteristics and in such details as pegs, tailpiece and endpin. As regards value for money, the jury unanimously awarded the instrument top marks. We were convinced by its tonal quality, especially with its deep pitch, dynamics and response. The composition of the two upper strings is particularly strong and creates a full sound pattern.
Judges’ Assessment 2012
The “TS master cello” impressed through his powerful, variable but also pleasantly soft sound.
It is very easy to play. The masterwork is completed by the equitable price-performance ratio.
The assessment of the instruments in the competition was the result of a three-part process:
First, the acoustic character of each instrument was measured at the Institute of Instrument Making (Ifm) in Zwota. The instruments were artificially stimulated to vibrate, and all the relevant parameters were measured. Next, all the instruments were played and judged individually by five renowned cello soloists. To eliminate bias, the players knew neither the make of the instruments nor could to discern their makers from the instruments’ outward appearance. To ensure optimum comparability, Ifm standard test programmes were employed.
Afterwards, the technical craftsmanship was judged by an expert.
In conclusion, a jury of independent and proficient examiners compiled the final judgment, based on all these assessments and giving appropriate weight to all three separate appraisals – objective, subjective and technical.
