from the Architecture in Music website: Welcome to the art of Charles Brooks, a photographer whose practice is shaped by a 20-year career as a professional cellist. Drawing on his deep connection to music, Charles brings a unique perspective to his photography, exploring the structures and stories hidden within instruments. Charles Brooks had the extraordinary privilege of studying under both Helene and her husband Rolf as a young cellist in New  Zealand, a mentorship that spanned nearly a decade.

Having held principal cello positions in China, Chile, and Brazil, Charles' musical career has taken him to concert halls around the world. Since embarking on his full-time photographic journey in 2016, he has become one of the most celebrated and widely published photographers on the planet. His work has been featured in prestigious publications including National Geographic, NBC News, The Daily Mail, Der Spiegel, The Telegraph, Die Zeit, Lonely Planet, and countless others.

From the halls of the Paris Conservatoire to the groundbreaking research facilities of the Large Hadron Collider, Charles' visionary works have found a home in some of the most diverse and captivating settings imaginable.

Pietro Guarneri, the elder son of Giuseppe 'filius Andreae', was initially poised to take over his father's violin-making shop in Cremona. However, after a decade of learning the craft there, he moved to Venice in 1717. At that time, the Stradivari family largely dominated the violin-making industry in Cremona, presenting challenges for the Guarneri family's business. In Venice, which was renowned as "The Republic of Music," Pietro found more stable opportunities. This city was a hive of musical creativity during that era, and it's likely that this violin premiered early performances of works by composers like Vivaldi and Albinoni.