Among the most popular old violins are those from the original German luthiers. Some of these more famous makers are Jacob Stainer, Matthias Klotz, Sebastion Klotz, and Leopold Widhalm. This article will take a brief look at the lives of these three German luthiers and their contributions to the world of violins.
The man who is most often considered the greatest of all the German violin makers was Jacob Stainer who was born in 1621. It is very likely that Stainer worked with someone from the Amati violin family, because the varnish he used on his violins was very similar to that used by the Amatis. Stainer was able to achieve a fantastic tone in his violins, probably helped by the fact that he was a competent violinist in his own right. Unfortunately, in 1669 Stainer was arrested for heresy which he would not refute. After spending time in jail, he found his fortunes gone and his family impoverished. Unable to raise himself from this situation, Stainer developed mental difficulties and died in 1683.
The violin making was founded in Mittenwald by Matthias Klotz, who was born in 1656. He was largely influenced by Stainer. The ground on his violins has turned a dark color and the varnish is a yellow color. He expired in 1743 at the age of 87. The Klotz had another finest maker of violin in Mittenwald in the form of Sebastian Klotz (1696-1768). His violins were patterned by his son, Joseph Klotz.
Leopold came into the world in Germany a bit after the turn of the eighteenth century. Many people think that he was the most talented violin artisan of the period. The wood, combined with the stain and shape made the instrument unique. He left us at just a bit more than 50 years of age.
Any of the old violins made by these legendary German luthiers commands a good price today. Should you have the chance to purchase one and be able to afford it, by all means, take it as you can't go wrong. You'll have a wonderful sounding instrument as well as one that will surely continue to appreciate in value.
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 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 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.
Carlo Bergonzi, born 1676, worked in the workshop of Antonio Stradivari (in whose house he lived after 1746). It is said that he was the favorite pupil of Stradivari. Bergonzi's violins have a magnificent, brilliant tone capable of reaching the corners of the largest concert hall and are well-liked as concert instruments. Bergonzi inherited all the working materials of Stradivari in 1742. Bergonzi died in 1747.
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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