Italian Violins: Unlocking Their Mystery

Old Italian violins are generally revered as the "holy grail" in the violin world. This is due, in part at least, to the early Italian luthiers who forever forged a place in the instrument's history with their master craftsmanship and devotion to this lovely instrument. In this article, we'll take a brief look at three of the highly regarded, early Italian violin makers from the Cremona school.

Nicolo Amati was the son and disciple of Girolamo Amati. Nicolo was born in 1596 and is considered his family's finest luthier. Amati violins are beloved for many reasons, particularly their brilliant varnish, which comes in shades ranging from yellow-brown to golden red. They are also renowned for their sweet, penetrating tones. Due to its higher arching, however, an Amati violin lacks the sheer power of a Stradivari. Amati violins usually have a length of 14 inches, though sometimes they are slightly shorter. Many members of the Amati family died during the plague, but Nicolo survived and went on to become the master of Antonio Stradivari, the world's greatest violin maker. Nicolo Amati lived until 1684.

Antonio Stradivari, born 1644, made violins even up to the year of his death in 1737. He inscribed on his labels his age at various times even up to "d'Anni 93", a reference to his age of 93 at the time. A verbal description of him by a violin virtuoso, Polledro, who alleged that his old teacher had known Stradivari personally) was that he was a tall and lean man who wore a white wollen cap and white leather apron when working. Stradivari violins provide evidence that he was a pupil of Nicolo Amati. In fact, it is alleged that he became Amati's pupil at 11 years of age.

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.

If you're browsing for violins, be sure to consider one of the fine Italian violins available at Ye Olde Violin Shoppe such as the Amati violin. Home to the master luthiers of yesterday and today, as well as a violin forum!

- Daniel Wright