PROFESSOR WALTER MONY  was a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London and at an early age was sub principal of the London Symphony Orchestra. He was professor emeritus at Wits University . As a chamber musician, Walter Mony was the violin/viola member of the internationally known Nederburg Harp Trio (with Kathleen Alister and Lucien Grujon) which toured Europe successfully, recorded for the BBC in London and had several recordings released in the USA. Composers whose works have been premiered by MONY as soloist or conductor include : RSA - Stefans Grove, Peter Klatzow, Carl van Wyk, Graham Newcater, Thomas Rajna ,Arthur Wegelin, Jeanne Zaidel, David Hoenigsberg. Israel - Ami Mayani, Marc Lavry. USA - Robert Rollin ------ Several of these works are dedicated to MONY. Walter passed away in January 2009.

" The violin made for me by Brian Lisus in 1988 entitled   ' Mechaieh'   matches the husky, sensuousness of my French violin ( Nicholas Lupot ) and the scintillating brilliance of my Italian   ( Pressenda ). "

DAVID JURITZ studied at the Royal College of Music in London where he won the Tagore Gold Medal. His concert performances include appearances in Switzerland,Italy, London Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Albert Festival Hall. He is currently concertmaster of the London Mozart Players.

" When I commissioned my violin from Brian Lisus we spent some time talking about what I was looking for in an instrument. Six years on I have to say I am delighted with the outcome of our discussion. I have played my Lisus violin in both orchestral and chamber groups and have found it to be an instrument of great character, combining a flexible sound with real carrying power. It is a responsive violin with a tone that is even and rich throughout it's range. As I expected of a superb craftsman, he has produced a fiddle that is easy on the eye as well as being most rewarding to play "

PETER MARTENS
Principal cellist - Cape Philharmonic Orchestra

" I have had the privilege to try out many modern instruments and I cannot recall one that is finer than your latest. It is quite large, but very elegant and I could find no fault in the beautiful workmanship. The tone is exceptionally clear and although I would not say it is loud, there is no lack of power. The tone has a well rounded quality with enough volume to serve today's world class concerto soloist. I particularly liked the ease at which one could play in the very high registers of every string. Although there was no lack of brilliance in the tone, I personally prefer a slightly higher bridge that may enhance that department even more. I must point out that although I prefer the higher bridge, there was no buzzing of any kind. The cello has a very even sound and for that reason I would recommend a set of soloist edition Larson strings( with the normal C as the Soloist C is not yet out) I use the this on my Locy Hill that has a similar evenness of tone. I would be honoured to own such an instrument and can only dream of the beauty of tone developing as the already magnificent sounding instrument ages.
To summarize: This cello is in a class with the finest instruments made today and at an extremely reasonable price! "

AVIGAIL BUSHAKOVITZ
Avigail was born in Jerusalem in 1988. She began piano lessons at three, but when a violin teacher started instructing in George (South Africa) when she was eight, she decided to include strings in her repertoire. At the age of 12, after completing her Grade 7 piano exam with distinction, violin became her main instrument and she gave up piano. From 2000 to 2007 she studied with Prof. Jack de Wet in Cape Town, during which time she was the winner of the strings category in the Absa National Youth Competition in 2002, 2004 and 2005. At present she studies violin with Sylvia Rosenberg at the Julliard in New York.

 " Brian Lisus made my violin in August 2000. I had only recently switched to a full-sized violin from my three quater. Naturally, my initial reaction as a 12-year-old to my new violin was delight in the fullness of sound, beauty of the instrument and richness in tone. In the last eight years, as my experience, knowledge and proficiency have grown, I have increasingly come to appreciate Brian's handiwork.

I am currently studying violin at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, and the violin has been my faithful companion across South Africa, Europe and the USA. The violin has a maturity quite phenomenal for a relatively young instrument. My violin allows me to play with a variety of tonal colours. In addition to its strong sound that can carry and the sweetness in tone, the instrument is a real beauty. Brian's precision is especially admirable - the scroll alone is very delicately cut. I adore the colour, not even to mention the exquisite drawing on the back made by Caryl Blomkamp, which makes my instrument even more unique. I especially appreciate Brian's professionalism and fondness for each of his instruments. He is always prepared to work on my violin, sometimes with almost no notice! He treats it with love and utmost care, and I enjoy seeing the pleasure he takes in the end result of his labour. Thank you for my violin, Brian! "

JOE SACK  is an Honours graduate of the Royal Academy of Music inLondon, where he won the Sir Edward Cooper Chamber Music prize. He is a former member of the London Symphony Orchestra. As music editor of the Rand daily Mail, he attended music festivals throughout the world and was invited to play some of the world's finest instruments.

" The Lisus cellos I have played on are beautifully made and tonally in a class of their own. In every way they are professional instruments for demanding players. "

ROBYN GLASSON is a violist in the San Diego Symphony. She is also Principal Viola of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra.

"My Lisus viola named 'Ubuntu' is a pleasure to play as it presents me with a wide variety of tone colours to choose from for the various settings I find myself in - orchestral, chamber and solo. The tone is even and rich with impressive carrying power."

KARIN GAERTNER studied viola both in Cape Town and at the Mozarteum, Salzburg. She held the position of Principal Viola in the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra until its closure in June 2000. She is currently working as a freelance violist in Cape Town and Europe.

"My Lisus viola, 'Ilanga', ended a lengthy search for an instrument which possessed both the warmth and evenness of tone required for chamber music as well as the clarity and projection necessary for solo performance. Apart from being beautifully crafted and pleasing to the eye, its responsiveness makes it a pleasure to play."

Peta Ann Holdcroft / Richardson  is Associate Principal Cellist in the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. She is a keen chamber music player and teacher of the cello.

" My Brian Lisus cello, made in 1994 has a beautiful warm, strong and resonant sound and is a pleasure to play. It has a rich, rust brown colour and the workmanship is superb. "