Volume 12–4 (Low Res).pdf - U&lc

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When it comes to violins, Stradivari is generally
the first name that comes to mind. But
the fact is, the violin was born long before
Antonio Stradivari. It was a crude little instrument
with a small and uninspired sound.
However, in the mid-1500s, a few Italian families
in the town of Cremona put their innate
genius to work and turned the violin into the
sublime instrument we know today.
Either by instinct, divine inspiration or
luck, these craftsmen knew exactly which
woods to choose, the critical gradations for
each section of the instrument, the ideal
shape and size for the body, the perfect
length and curve of the f-holes, the precise
formula for varnish... and all those other elusive
factors that made their instruments
acoustically magical.
The Amatis were the first notable family of
violin makers. Of the two brothers, Andrea
and Nicolo, Andrea (c. 1520-1580) receives
particular credit for his contributions. He
was wealthy enough to travel about Europe
and acquire the finest, most appropriate
woods. He also had a special gift for the
FAMILIES TO REMEMBER
HE AMATIS, GUARNERIS
9 9
details of construction. His earliest violin,
labeled "Amadus," bore the date 1564.
Two Amati sons, Antonio (1550-1638)
and Geronimo (1556-1630) continued the
family business. But it was a third generation
Amati, Nicolo (1595-1694), son of
Geronimo, who was the most eminent
craftsman of them all. Although he was
known for the small scale and quiet, delicate
sound of his instruments, he also produced
the famous "Grand Amatis." These expanded
violins produced a profound sound and
exquisite tone. Aside from his personal contributions
to the craft, Nicolo Amati was also
responsible for training the succeeding generations
of brilliant violin makers, for among
his apprentices were Andrea Guarneri and
Antonio Stradivari.
In truth, Andrea Guarneri himself was
not a particularly accomplished violin
maker. But his sons, Pietro (1655-1728) and
Giuseppi (1666-1739), who took over the
family business after Andrea's death, were
masters. And by far the most celebrated artist
of the entire Guarneri clan was Giuseppi's
son, Giuseppi Antonio (1687-1745). He was
known as "del Gesu," and his violins were
unprecedented. They produced a prodigious
masculine sound, and though the man himself
was something of a scoundrel (he was
imprisoned for certain immoral behavior), as
a craftsman he was a phenomenon.
Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) brought
the art of violin making to its zenith. His
earliest instrument, dated 1666, was made
while he was still apprenticed to Nicolo
Amati. But his legendary violins were produced
in his own workshop in the early
1700s. He experimented with different
woods, with a variety of sizes and shapes
and with new varnish formulas. His violins