Italian Violins: Three Masters - Entertainment - Music

Remarkable craftsmanship is evident in the Italian violins of old. The devotion of the early Italian luthiers to this instrument is evident. One only has to listen or gaze upon a violin made during this era to see that it has earned the reputation of a "holy grail" of violins. In this article, a brief look at three master crafters from the Italian school of Cremona will be examined.

Nicolo Amati, born 1596, was the son and disciple of Girolamo Amati. He is considered the finest luthier of his family. Among the many beloved attributes of Amati's violins is their brilliant varnish in shades from yellow-brown to a golden red. Equally captivating is their tone which is penetrating and sweet but, because of the higher arching, lack the sheer power of a Stradivari. The length of his violins were mostly 14 inches or slightly under. Many of his family were lost to the plague, but Nicolo survived to become the master of the greatest violin maker who ever lived, Antonio Stradivari. Nicolo Amati died in 1684.

Antonio Stradivari was making violins up to the year of his death in 1737. He often inscribed his age on the labels, with one displaying "d'Anni 93" as a reference to his age of 93 at the time of the violin's creation. Born in 1644, Stradivari was described as a tall, lean man wearing a white wool cap with leather apron. This discription was given by the violin virtuoso, Polledro. Stradivari violins show evidence of being a pupil of Nicolo Amati. It is alleged that Amanti began to teach him at 11 years old.

Born in 1676, Carlo Bergonzi worked beside Antonio Stradivari in his workshop. Bergonzi also lived in Stradivari's house after 1746. It is said that Bergonzi was Stradivari's favorite pupil. Bergonzi hence inheirited all the working materials of Stradivari in 1742, just before his death in 1747. Bergonzi's violins are one of the best concert violins. They are said to be capable of reaching the corners of the largest concert halls with their magnificent, brilliant tone.

The Cremona school of violin making is highly esteem in the violin world today. The love of the violin demonstrated by these three Italian luthiers is largely responsible for the strongly preferred status of the school. Their workmanship has stood the test of time.

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