The Mare family — 3 generations in music

In Reghin, the “city of violins,” the name Mare means a single story told in three voices: two luthiers who build master instruments and a cellist who plays them.

Mare Vasile and Mare Aurelian, father and son, in their Reghin workshop
Mare Vasile
First generation · founding master

At eighteen he joined the Hora musical instrument factory in Reghin. From 1982 he devoted himself exclusively to building master instruments — today, over 500 instruments built entirely by hand.

Mare Aurelian
Second generation · the son · 1st place viola, Reghin 2012

Raised in the Reghin workshop, he carries on his father's craft. Awarded at international luthiery competitions. mareaurelian.ro →

Mare Eduard
Third generation · cellist

Aurelian's son doesn't build the instruments — he plays them. The first generation of the family to play rather than build. The 7/8 cello “Eduard” (2023) was made especially for him.

The workshop chronicle

The 1970s

At eighteen, Vasile Mare joins the Hora musical instrument factory in Reghin — vocational school and evening high school, his first steps in luthiery.

1981

Aurelian, Vasile's son, is born — the family's second generation in luthiery.

1982

Vasile devotes himself exclusively to building master instruments — around ten a year, each worked entirely by hand.

1990

Vasile becomes a founding member of the Association of Luthier Artists of Romania.

Apprenticeship

Aurelian finishes the school of sculpture in Târgu-Mureș and joins his father's workshop as an apprentice.

2012

Aurelian takes 1st place for viola at the International Luthiery Competition, Reghin — the second generation's first major international recognition.

Today

The third generation: Eduard, Aurelian's son, doesn't build the instruments — he plays them. The 7/8 cello “Eduard” (2023) was built especially for him, in his grandfather's workshop.

Come and get to know the family's workshop.

The craft behind every instrument, explained step by step.