Violin - A Condesed History of The Violin - Goffrie

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The document discusses the history and development of the violin from early bow instruments to famous violin makers like Stradivarius.

The Ravanastron from around 2000 years ago is mentioned as the earliest instrument that used a bow.

The Ravanastron, which was of Indian origin from around 2000 years ago, is described.

UC-NRLF

13M bDS

THE ROBERT

E.

COWAN COLLECTION

I'KKSF.NIKI)

riV>

THK

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
C.

P.

HUNTINGTON
JUNE.

flccession

No

/V

(dO

:b'~^7.

Class No.

l^

mi

aC

The
A

Violin

Condensed History of the Violin.

ITS PERFECTION AND ITS

FAMOUS MAKERS.

Importance of Bridge and Sound-Post Arrangement.

CHAS. GOFFRIE.

the Locomotivehas perhaps not required the expenditure

To perfect that wonder of travel

mere mental strength and application, than

musicthe Violin." W. E.

to perfect that

GLADSTONE.

ilaJrHfilna:

a.

ANDRE

&

No. 1228 Chestnut

Street.

CO

wonder of

o/

The
A

Violin:

Condensed History of the Violin.

ITS PERFECTION AND ITS

FAMOUS MAKERS.

Importance of Bridge and Sound-Post Arrangement.

CHAS. GOFFRIE.
To perfect that -uoonder of travel

the Locomotivehas perhaps not required the expenditure

more mental strength and

application, than to perfect that zvonder of

music the Violin." IF. E.

GLADSTONE.

CALIFORHlL.

ANDRE
No. 1228 Chestnut

&

CO.

Street.

of

V.L%bX
G

CONTENTS,
6^hO

U-

PAGE.
Introduction.

Bow

Early

Collection of Cremona Violins,


Instruments. Ravanastron, Rebek,

etc.

Crwth

Viol

da Ganiba, Viola and Violin,

Ancient Violin Makers, Kerlino, Caspar

Amati Family.

di Sala,

Maggini,

etc.

Nicholas Amati.

Stradiuarius and Joseph Guarnerius.

Construction of the Violin


Patent Sound-board.

The

58

different parts.
.

Bar, Bridge, and Sound-post.

Italian

and Modern Varnish.

10
10

Arrangement of Bridge and Sound-post.

Acquaintance with Eminent Artists

13

New

Violins

Violin

their Qiiality of

Makers of

Sound.

the Present Day.

.....

Present High Value of


Violin Bows.

their Instrurnent

Cremona

Violins.

Catalogue of Violin Makers.

Copyrierht secured,

H
H
15
17

18

1876,

by Oluirles Ooffrie

THE VIOLIN:
AND

CELEBRATED MASTERS

ITS

INTRODUCTION.
To THE Amateurs

of the Leading Instrument

For some years

have been occupied

Italian string instruments,

in

the Violin.

forming

a collection

of

and have succeeded, after great labor and

expenditure, in bringing together the largest and most varied assort-

ment of Cremona

Violins, Violas, Viols d'amour and

including Stradiuarius,

agnini, Maggini, Rugeri,


also,

Montagnani, Grancino, Stainer,

Tourte and other bows that are

These

Violoncellos,

Guarnerius, Carlo Bergonzi, Amati, Guad-

have placed on view

at

to be

found

etc., etc.

in this country.

Andre's Music Store, 1228 Chestnut

Street, Philadelphia.

The

value of the instruments ranges from $100 to over

each, and the aggregate value exceeds $10,000.

ments and bows are

Some of

for sale.

In giving publicity to the following few pages,

understood that

my

object

is

to present, in a very

the History and description of the Violin

bow was first introduced, to the


bow were brought to perfection.

the

me

in

$1000

the instru-

time

from

wish

it

to

be

condensed form,
the

when both

period

when

the Violin and

have only added what an experience of over 30 years taught


the proper arrangement of Bar, Soundthat important part

Post, and Bridge.*

Any one
instruments,

desiring

more information about the history of


works of the following authors

refer to the

Coussemaker, Savart, Otto, Hart, Abele,

jj^
* In a future Edition,

Diagrams of Bridges,

etc.

I
;

stringed
:

Fetis,

etc.

CHR. GOFFRIE,
Stfeet^ New York.

E. Ijth

hope to be able to give Photographs of Violins,


and to treat the subject more extensively.
(3)

The

The

when

earliest period

used to string instruments

of that time
still

is

is

Violin.

Bow

the

called Ravanastron.

in existence

supposed to have been

is

It

under that name.

It

was of Indian

A
tied to

it,

and

is

wooden cylinder,
bridge, and two strings

intestines (gut).

similar instrument, with

played with a

instrument

origin,

consisted of a

with serpent or animal skin as sound-board, a

made of animal

The

about 2000 years ago.

bow made

two

strings,

the Omerti.

is

It

was

of bamboo, and a small bundle of horsehair

so as to give a slight bend.

Another instrument, called Rebab, or Rebek, is of Arabian


It is made of a wooden frame, with parchment on top and
origin.
bottom, and has only one

The
Crwth,

first

Crouth,

or

originated in

string.

instrument of the
with

three

used

kind
strings,

in

Europe, was the

This
was made

sometimes more.

Wales, England, about the nth century.

It

of a wooden back and sound-board, with holes for the hands to pass
through, in order to reach the strings.

About the 13th century, the Mandolina, with the various Viol's

Gamba, Viol's d'amour and Basses were produced.


We now come to the period when the Violin proper, or Piccolo
The
also Violas of the present form.
Violino francese, was made
He lived in Brescia about
first Viol maker's name was Kerlino.

da

1450.

The

next, Pietro Dardelli, 1500

fenbruker), 15 10.
Brescia,
to 1610.

Then came

who produced

the

Gaspar Duiffobrugar (Tiedi Salo, from

great Gaspar

Violins, Violas, etc., between the years 1555

Both Duiffobrugar and Gaspar

di

Salo

made

their instru-

ments of the best description of wood of different qualities for


back and belly, and with good forms and sound-holes, which remained
models for the great makers following them. Giovani Paolo Mag1590 to 1640, supposed to have been a pupil or workman with
Gaspar di Salo, as there is some similarity in their instruments, also in
the manner of double purfling scroll work on the back, etc. but difter
gini,

The
in

many important

varnish,

which

is

respects as to form, cut of sound-hole, also in his

di

Salo used'was mostly dark brown.

we come now to those of Cremona, foreAndreas Amati, 1540 to 1580. As there is also some
between his and the Gaspar di Salo model choice of wood
these makers,

most of which
similarity

generally of a yellow or brownish yellow color

the varnish Caspar

From

Violin.

is

and cut of sound-hole

or worked with

in Brescia.

him

Cremona School

it is

probable that he had instructions from him,

And, Amati was the founder of the


His works

for Violins.

are carefully executed

He made many

the model high, sound-holes short and not elegant.


small size, which

Violins of rather

sound, but are not powerful.

The

sometimes of a golden hue, good


amined by sunlight.

have a

varnish

quality,

is

fine,

generally brown, though

and splendid

His sons, Antonius and Hieronymus, were

worked

for

many

years together,

after

sweet quality of

models

effect,

skilful

ex-

if

makers, and

of their father, from

1570 to 1635. In their latter works, they made some marked improvements and to them we are indebted for the first form of the
instrument known as " Amatise."
Hieronymus died a few years
;

than his brother Antonius, and was the more

later

skilful

workman.

Nicholas Amati, the greatest maker of Violins, Violoncellos,


of this illustrious family, was born

etc.,

1684.

He was

in

the son of Hieronymus.

Cremona, 1596, and died


His works bear the stamp

of genius, and are only inferior to his great pupil. Ant. Stradiuarius.

He

has made Violins of various patterns, many of a small size.


About the year 1625, he began to produce his famous Violins, known
under the name of Grand Amati's, being in larger proportions, and

having an outline of great beauty and elegance.


declining from the
slight

foot

groove where the purfling

is.

The

ensures sweetness of sound.

The

description and quality as

acoustic

and

finish

The model

is

raised,

of the bridge to the outer edge, forming a

to

was of the very best

requirements.

were only surpassed by Stradiuarius

a most brilliant golden color.

of this arrangement

effect

material used

The

purfling

and the varnish

is

of

The

Antonius Stradiuarius, born

Violin.
in

Cremona 1644,

He

died 1737-

was undoubtedly the most remarkable and famous Violin maker


all

and

He was

his

name

model of

his

as

it

were, familiar

all

About

that

time, he

made some

till

Violins after the

master; and into these he placed Nicholas Amati labels.

About 1668, he

left

account, but

Nicholas Amati's workshop, and worked on his


after the ordinary sized

still

Amati Violin

and did

not introduce the Grand pattern until about the year 1686.
this

ot

over the civilized world.

Nicholas Amati, and worked with that master

a pupil of

the year 1668.

own

is,

the

time, he gradually leaves

From

exact Amati pattern, makes his

Violins flatter, cuts his sound-holes more perfectly and gracefully*


pays more attention to the scroll, improves the color of his varnish,

and formed the general appearance of

own
are

known under

more

his instruments

to his

His violins made between the years 1686-96

individual fancy.

the

name of

Stradiuarius

Amatise, and another

But from the year 1700, Stradiuarius,


*hen in his 57th year, began to surpass all his former efforts, which
seemed to have been only preliminary measures to this, the golden
The instruments made by him from 1700 to about
period of his life.
1725 are of a beauty and perfection not possible to describe; and
form named the long Strad.

must be seen and compared with other makers' instruments, even

own from
a

thousand instruments.

and

his pupils.

his

over

These, with those of Joseph Guarnerius

Carlo Bergonzi, etc., mark the period, from which to

the present time, there has been no progress

making

He made

and former periods, to be appreciated.

later

made

in

None made by modern makers Can

Violins.

the science of

rival the

above-

named great masters in high finish, varnish, or beauty of tone.


As there is no doubt that we have had, and have at the present
time, intelligent and well-educated makers of violins, etc., in every part
is no great difficulty in finding
making them, there must be some other
of the old makers, and which I will try to

of Europe and America, and that there


suitable

wood and

materials for

reason for>the superiority


explain

by-and-by

also the

equally brilliant varnish.

cause of

the

failure

to

produce an

The

There was another great


name was Joseph Guarnerius,
Giuseppe

del Jesu

Violin.

maker of

genius, a

known under

also

he was born

violins,

Cremona, 1683, and

in

and his

the appellation of
died 1745.

some doubt as to his apprenticeship. I am inclined to believe that he worked both with Stradiuarius and his cousin Andreas
Guarnerius, for the simple reason that he was a genius of inquiring

There

is

mind, and could hardly help finding out

how

works, though he was, perhaps, irregular

they proceeded in their

in

attendance, and soon

and inclinations, and worked for himself. In


his best time he produced violins made with the best materials,
excellent form and proportions, and a wonderfully fine and brilliant
varnish, and these violins can be placed by the side of the Stradiuarius
followed his

own

ideas

period, except, perhaps,

of the best

violins

master's

high

finish.

The

that

they

want

that

by Paganini belonged

violin used

to

This maker was married, but as he


Joseph Guarnerius' best period.
was of irregular habits and too fond of wine, his family life was not
He died in prison, were he had been incarcerated some
happy.
years, and the violins he made in prison are inferior, as he had to

work up with poor

tools the materials brought to

him by the

jailer's

daughter.

The Construction

We will now consider theViolin

of

the Violin.

as to

its

form, constituent parts,

varnish, etc.

TheViolin

in its present

form and outlines has remained, with

Stradiuarius
only minute alterations, the same as in the i6th century.
brought it to the highest perfection, but made no additions to its

several parts.

On

the form or model depends the quality of sound

a high built Violin like those of Amati, Stainer, etc.,


flat

built Violins, like

often

Joseph Guarnerius',

very powerful, with

form of Stradiuarius,

his

great

pupils,

is

tone

Storioni's, etc., are loud

carrying qualities

etc.,

soft in

the

medium

have both mellowness and

power, and, therefore, the most satisfactory quality.

The

the

back

is

of pine,

narrow graihs join

2 so that the

piece, divided into

middle; the sides

finest quality

belly, of the

one or two pieces, the

made from one


in

The

various parts of the Violin are about 58.

The
either in

Violin.

6 pieces, the linings 12 pieces, sound-

in

4 pegs, blocks, purfling,

nut,

post, bridge, neck, finger-board,

tail-

piece and strings.

Belly and Back of Violin.

The most

important part as to sound

found with the grain running


best to

have the

is

close together

pine running straight and

the

at

finer grain in

the belly, the grain in


;

but as

equal distances,
the middle, and

it is

it

cannot be

usually found

the larger run

let

the quality

As to the proper thickness, much depends on


flat built Violins are thicker in
of the wood and the form

wood than

high built ones.

that I have

examined were about

towards the sides.*

Nearly

the bellies of sound Violins

all

as thick again in the middle,

inch behind the bridge to 3 before

from

egg shaped, then running off

it,

gradually to the purfling.

Those

Violins which are of the

which

out,

back

made of hard wood,

is

the belly in form.

must
a%

resist

is

all

over are either

The

belly

The

stronger, and nearly corresponds with


is

the vibrating part, and the back

the pressure and great vibration, and throw the tone out,

were, through the sound

it

same thickness

very often the case, or badly made.

scraped

holes.

of back and belly ought to be like

The
to

difFerenpe of vibrations

Dj

* I may here inform my readers that I have taken a patent for a new
sound-board made of hard and soft wood, so that the grains run in perfectly
straight lines, and can be arranged to run at any distance
the consequence
Many American piano-makers have promised to try it,
is superior sonority.
;

am confident if fairly tried it will be used in preference to the present


sound-board. It requires at first an outlay for new cutting machines, but the
saving in the wood will be very great, as all the wood is used up, nothing
has to be thrown away, and half the usual time for drying is sufficient.
and

The

The

neck and head, have

the weight

the Violin, and

blocks, linings, etc., in

position of

Violin.

good deal

to

and

do with the sound.

Savard and others have proved that a Violin without neck and head

much of

loses

tone.

its

piece of wood, usually ebony, called

Violin holder, has, since the great

come niuch

use;

in

that part of the Violin


to

Spohr recommended

violinist

where the neck

rests,

and,

well made, so as

if

keep the pressure from the vibrating part of the

prevent the vibration as


beard.

once

tried

part of the tail-piece

the middle,

a
it'

small block of

belly, does not

perhaps a large

wood attached

to the

lower

improved the tone by balancing the Violin

in

suppose.

The
The

the chin, and

as

^rrfuch

it,

the holding of the Violin, protects

facilitates

it

bar, a piece of pine

Bar.

wood,

for the purpose of strengthen-

ing and regulating the quality of sound,


ally rising in height to the middle,

is

thin at the ends, and gradu-

runs under the

fourths of the length of the Violin

G string about three-

the length, height, thickness

and position depend on the build of the Violin;

if

it

is

new

one,

with plenty of wood, the bar need not be strong nor very long, nor
fitted in

,but in
fin

with

much

spring

it

mav, indeed, be put

an old Violin, particularly

the direction of the

and spring

in

it

old,

in quite straight

one rather weak,

string, right

fully sufficient to

jThe wood must be very

in

under

it,

it

and with more wood

counteract the pressure of the strings.

and the grain run quite

give the necessary spring to a bar, I consider the best


it

to the right size, to see

before gluing

it

that

on to take a

ought to run

it

little

fits

To

straight.

way

is

to cut

well in the place, and

then

of the wood off gradually from the

it does not fit any more.


Then when
must be pressed on both ends with a little force, and
kept down till dry and firm.
If the third and fourth strings have

middle to both ends, so that


gluing

not

it

on

it

sufficient

force after

such an operation, the bar has not

proper position or not enough spring, and must be changed.

same must be done

if

the notes will not

come

the

The

out free, as then there

10
is

The

much

too

Violin.

spring given, and the pressure of the strings

to counteract

is

insufficient

it.

Bridge and Sound-post.


Finally,

and

come

to 2 small loose pieces of

wood

called bridge

sound-post, or, as the French call the latter so appropriately,

Pame^ or the soul of the Violin.

These

important part

of the sound.

in giving the quality

little

is

made of very

is

generally put crossways to that of the belly.

pieces play a very

The

old pine, and loosely fitted into the Violin

The

sound-post
;

a nearly fixed position about one-quarter of an inch behind

foot of the bridge, but

exact position

its

The

conjunction with the bridge.


in that peculiar

the grain

sound-post has
the right

only to be determined

is

bridge carrying the strings

is

in

cut

form with the view of having strength with the least


greatest amount of vibrations.

amount of wood, thus producing the

The

height, width and thickness a bridge ought to have, can only be

calculated with

reference

to

position

is

usually

The

model of the instrument.

the

higher the build of the Violin the lower should

be the bridge.

between the two niches marked

in

the

Its

sound-

holes.

Varnishes.
Varnishes are prepared with
opinion of eminent

why

the art of

lost, as

oil, spirit

men who have made

making varnish resembling

no instrument, not even from

or other

fluid.

It

is

the

researches as to the cause,


that of the old masters

Italy, within a century,

is

can

compare with a fine Strad, Joseph Guarnerius, Amati or any of the


makers of that period.
It is believed the cause is that the gum
amber, or chief ingredient composing that varnish, came to the
Italian

markets about that time as

a regular

branch of commerce,

perhaps from the interior of Africa, and has for some reason discontinued so to arrive or to be imported.
for coloring matter,

an

oily fluid,

is

which

is

no more found

English imitation of

it

is

Also genuine dragon-blood,

and

easily dissolved in

the European

markets, and the

quite' transparent,

in

very inferior and not so transparent.

The

11

Violin.

have known and know some modern Violin makers who come
In London, John
near the old varnish in their imitations.

very

who was

Oliver Lott,

frequently employed by Vuillaume, in Paris,

for difficult imitations, his brother,

for Davis,

Coventry

in

George Lott, Carter who worked

W,

Fendt,

street,

Hill

and

others.

In

America, George Gemunder, in New York; Maclett, in Chicago;


White, in Boston. The varnish has
F. Albert, in Philadelphia
;

much

to do with the quality of sound.

sounds loud, and


dries quickly,

new

Violin unvarnished

Spirit varnish,

oil varnish.

tone

my

In

of a Violin.

opinion

Guarnerius, Amati and other celebrated makers


are

of

full

fire

which

often used on that account, but does not give so good

the

to

a quality

is

softened by an

is

and brilliancy

have

two

Stradiuarius,

whose

coats,

first

varnishes

the golden

yellow, then the red or darker color.

The Arrangement
Having

said as

much

of the Bridge and Sound-post.

about the

difi^erent

parts of the Violin, I

return to bridge and sound-post to explain what experience of

many

years with the best makers in Paris, London, and Brussels has taught

me

about
I

am

it.

certain that

most Violins can be improved, simply by a


I can tell by a few

judicious arrangement of bridge and sound-post, and

minutes' examination whether a Violin

is

well

made and sound has

a proper bar, and proper position of bridge and sound-post.

There

is

hardly a Violin of the old makers to be

original condition, as the bar has to be

ance

which

to the present high pitch,

changed

is,

in

my

to

give

found

more

in

its

resist-

opinion, too high for

the production of the best quality of sound.

To

arrange a bridge on a Violin according to the position of any

fingerboard

is

decidedly wrong.

The

ing to the form of the Violin.


will carry a bridge

and a

little less

of

inch and

across the feet

bridge must be calculated accord-

flat

^
it

Stradiuarius or Jos. Guarnerius,

high, i3/^ inches across the top,

should not stand quite straight, but

The

12

backward, so that the strings over the bridge form an even

slightly

To

angle.

Violin.

The

save a good bridge, cut one or two extra notches for pull-

ing up the

strings.

bridge ought to be tried with the sound-post,

out where

to find

positions,

valuable one, and the player

is

it

sounds best

the

if

desirous of having

in

different

Violin

arranged

it

is

in

the

best possible manner, several bridges, cut slightly different in height

and width, ought

to be tried, the best retained,

must be

tried again to see

whether

it

and then only ought

the bridge, after which

the fingerboard be adjusted according to

Whoever

difference of place will affect the sound.

proper places can be determined by the eye alone

prove

it

in a

it

souuds as well, as the slightest

is

says

that

wrong, and

the

can

few minutes.

have found that repairers do not give that important consideration to bridge and post which is necessary, and from the remarks of
some I learned that they could not know much about it.
I

who came

heard an instrument maker say to a gentleman

have

new

Signor Sivori's bridge, and would

make him

the like expressions are absurd

every Violin must have

fitted

according to

its

It is true that

alike.

how much

will a

a similar

one

construction, and there are hardly

many

players

come

to instrument

to

model of

bridge put on a Violin that he had the exact


;

such and
a

bridge

two Violins

makers asking

bridge cost, and are not inclined to give

more than

about 50 cents; then nothing else can be expected than one put on
quickly if it is a worthless instrument ; but if a Violin is well made,

of a good maker, and of some

value, then

to advise a careful trial with

ought

the instrument

more than one

a great difference in the vibrating qualities of bridges.

Three

cut exactly alike, so that no difference can be detected by


will

produce different qualities of sound.

tolerably
as the

Now

if

good player should

various

It is also

the quality of tone of a Violin

is

is

bridges

the eye,

necessary that a

try the different degrees

positions during arrangements

maker

bridge, as there

of tone, as well

of bridge

very soft, a

and post.

hard

bridge

The
will give

it

brilliancy

a softer bridge
fine, will

if

it

brilliancy

post

mellow the tone, and

moved

moved

if

hole the

this

first

Violins,

cut too

The

can sometimes be gained by

bridge

moved

to the

3d and 4th

string will

have more

if

a little

nearer the post will give

The

becomes hard.

too near the tone

professors and amateurs not

advise

and the

in thickness,

a little nearer the bar will soften the ist

and give fullness

new

feet not

hard and loud, as often in

is

and more wood

thicker post being used.

13

Violin.

moved

and

sound-

2d strings,

nearer to the sound-

brilliancy.

would, however,

make experiments on good

to

Violins themselves, as the instruments are very easily damaged, but


to get an experienced repairer or instrument

From
York

experience

White

in

can recommend G.

Boston

and C. Albert

maker

to

do

it

for

Gemunder and Konig

them.

in

New

in Philadelphia.

Having had the pleasure and honor of the personal acquaintance


and friendship of many eminent

Ernst,

artists, as

my

master,

Jpa-

chim, Vieuxtemps, Wieniawski, Wilhelmj, Sivori, Sainton, Carrodus,


and most of the celebrated artists who visited London during 30
years, and having played with

them

at

my own

and Reunion des Arts Concerts, of which


for over

10 years, as also

know how particular


when any alteration is

About
dere Hotel,

at

Mr.

Beethoven Society,

gave about 20 yearly

Ella's Musical

Union, over ifyears,

these artists are about their instruments, and


required.

a year ago I called one day on

New York

Wieniawski

he was playing, but very

with his Stradiuarius Violin, which had a

new

at

the Belve-

much

displeased

bridge on that did not

produce the same fullness and brilliancy of tone as did


out bridge.
to his violin,

at

it

and told him that

went with him

repairer, in the

what

looked

Bowery,

to

New

it

was not

his
at

old

worn

all

suited

Konig, a very good violin maker and


York, and had a few bridges cut to

thought the proper height, width, and thickness for

his Strad.;

them and was much surprised to find that the second bridge
he tried was so far superior to the others that he expressed his warmest thanks to me and Mr. Konig, and said that his Violin never
he

tried

The

14
sounded so well since he

had

it

Violin.
in his

possession.

gave

similar

Mr. Matzka in regard to bridges for his excellent Violins,


and which he also proved on Mr. Havemeyer's Joseph Guarnerius,
also to Mr. Bergner about a bridge for his Violoncello, and they exhints to

me

pressed to

their entire satisfaction with the result.

Strings.

The
;>trength

thickness of strings

of the

violin.

is

to

be calculated according to the

well-made

will carry thicker strings than an

old

flat

violin,

with a strong bar,

high-build violin, with a

weak

bar.
will

new

now

venture to give

my

opinion as to the

why

reason

Violins are not as good in quality of sound as old Violins, and

not only those of the old celebrated makers, but also of inrc/ior old

made Violins put together by carpenters, or even amateurs.


There is no doubt that age, the influence of the atmosphere,
and much playing, are necessar)- for even the best made Violins, to
bring the vibrating qualities to perfection, and
the Violins of the great makers were
first

made, similar

to

new

have no doubt that

hard and rough in tone

Violins of the present day.

when

A proof of this

is,

that in Italy and other places, the Stradiuarius, Guarnerius, Storioni

Violins, etc., have only

become

Before that time Gaspa

years.

favorites within

di Sala,

the last 50 or

60

Maggini, Amati, Stainer and

others had the preference.


I

in the

have often played on Violins by Stradiuarius, Guarnerius, etc.,


Collections of Messrs. Plowden, Gillott, Vuillaume, Bon-

jour and others, which had not been played upon for years, and some

were

in

such a perfect state of preservation, that they could hardly

have been used

at all,

tone, resembling
in its favor will,

There
work

and

found that they were decidedly hard

are plenty of good Violin

after the

in

new Violins. That such a Violin having great age


if much played on, quickly improve is natural.
makers

at the

present day

who

models of the celebrated masters, use good material.

The

15

Violin.

plenty of wood, and do not bake or chemically spoil

doubt that such instruments, with a good

oil

it

have no

varnish, and after being

played lO to 2o years, will have a good quality of tone.

played on

Gand, and Miremont, Parisian


W.
and George Gemunder and White, etc.,
Hill, Wither, English
American makers, which were made about lO to 30 years ago, and

Violins by Vuillaume, Chanot,

the quality of their sound

is

new

thereby

the vibrating qualities."

assist

Mr. Eckert,

" Ether blown

already very fine.

the inside of a

against

belly top will evaporate a portion of the rosin and

Columbus, Ohio, iMr. Kieckhofer,


New York, and Mr. Anton,

in

ton, Dr. Damainville, in

in

Washing-

in St.

Louis,

have Violins by Gemunder, 10 to 25 years old, with splendid qualiKonig made a


ties of sound, great power, and fine amber varnish.

copy of Mad. Devernd's Strad., of good tone and varnish.

Value of Instruments.
It

state

may

prices given

celebrated makers.
collectors of

and also surprise some of

interest,

some of the

Cremona

other artists to see

and offered

readers

when

of the

have known Messrs. Goding and Fountain,


Violins, etc., have been with

Mr.

Gillott's collection at

Violins against Joachim's

in

John Day and

Edgbaston, and with

Herr Joachim to see Mr. Plowden's, and we


Plowden's best

my

for Violins, etc.,

tried some of Mr.


Hanover Sq. Herr

Joachim and Herr Strauss bought Stradiuarius Violins from the


public
I was also present at the
Plowxlen collection at ^^300 each.
sales

when some of the Violins brought


King Guarnerius ^700 under the hammer.
Mr. J. B.
now worth 500 to 800 guineas.

of the above collections

;^200, and ^^"300, the

These instruments are


Waters, DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, has also a fine Joseph Guarnerius
Violin of the Plowden collection, rich golden color, large pattern,
Wilhelmj's Stradiuarius Violin,
1737, valued at 3000 dollars gold.
I knew for sale before he bought it, I recommended for its splen-

which

did tone;

it

was purchased

for I think

3000

thalers, but

Wilhelmj has

The

16
since refused S5000.

London,

to

Violin.

have read a

bv Mr. Hart from

letter written

Mr. Bonjour, an amateur gentleman

Paris,

in

who

fine collection of Violins, Violas, Violoncellos, etc., offering

has a

him one

thousand two hundred pounds sterling for a Stradiuarius Violoncello,

which Mr. Bonjour would not


as these prices are I

demand becomes

part with,

even

have no doubt that they

for

that sum.

will still

High

advance as the

larger, not unlike to the high prices given

for old

pictures.

There

are already Violins like Paganini's

purchase, and

manded

they are once collected for

if

which no money could

museums

the prices de-

will be fabulous.

Violins played by Former and the P resent

Celebrated Artists,
Paganini played on

Joseph Guarnerius.

Ernst on a Stradiuarius from Coding's Collection.

Spohr on a Stradiuarius and

De

J.

Guarnerius.

Beriot on a Maggini.

Moligne on

a Stradiuarius.

Joachim plays on

a Stradiuarius.

Wieniawski on

a Stradiurarius.

Vieuxtemps on

Sivori

on

Joseph Guarnerius.

Vuillaume (doubtful).

Wilhelmj on

a Stradiuarius.

Sainton on a Guadagnini and

Madame Norman Neruda

Guarnerius.

J.

on

Stradiuarius,

formerly belonging

to Ernst.

Madame
Ludwig

Camilla Urso on a Joseph Guarnerius.


Strauss on a Stradiuarius.

Carrodus on

Joseph Guarnerius,

filius

Andreas.

The

17

Violin,

Bows.
I will

not close this subject without saying a

Violin

Bows and

artistic

performance on the Violin

their

magic wand of the


period

when

violinist.

the Violin

Bow

makers, as a good

indeed,

it

is

few words about


indispensable to an

may

go back

will only

be termed the
the earliest

to

Bow received something like the present shape,

so that the haii could be stretched at the will of the player.

about the year, 1680, was one of the

came

Tartini,

Francois

who improved

the early

Francois Tourte

who

as

bows run up
his

Corelli,
;

then

Tourte, the father of

straight to a point

Bow

but

to perfection,

it

was

and to

time none have surpassed nor even equaled

in giving the necessary spring

to the

bow

using such a

also did

brought the Violin

such a degree that since


him,

it,

first

and force combined with lightness

Bow.

The

value of a fine Tourte

Bow

is

now

about 100 dollars, and

Last summer

when I was in
Bows, I could only obtain four, at high prices, in London and none in Paris.
Gand and
other instrument makers had none, and Mons. Bonjour and Louis
d'Egville who had some, would not part with them.
The best Bows after Tourte are Dodd, Lupot, Tubbs, Kittle,
Weichold, Bausch, Grimm and Vuillaume.
they are only rarely found at that price.

London and

Paris looking out for fine Violin

DICTIONARY
OF

VIOLIN MAKEES.
ACEVO, 1640. Cremona, very good, in the
ADDISON, WILLIAM, London, 1670.
AIRETON, EDWARD, London, 1730-1800.

An\ati style.

London, Lute and Violin maker.

ALDRED,

ALETZIE, PAULO, Monaco, 1720-30. Famous for his Cellos.


ALBANESI, MATTHIAS, born at Botzen or Bulsani, in the
1621

Tyrol, about

Said to be a pupil of Nicholas Amati.

highly esteemed.

High

model, with reddish brown varnish,


ALBANI, PAOLO, 1659; was also under Nicholas Amati.

AMATI,
AMATI,
AMATI,
AMATI,
made

ANDREAS,

Cremona, born

1520, died 1580.

NICHOLAS, brother of the above.


NICHOLAS, son of Andreas.

ANTONIUS

and

HIERONYMUS,

Violins together, but

AMATI, NICHOLAS, born


the greatest

some

sons of Andreas. 1550 to 1634,

separately.

1596, died 1684, son of

Hieronymus.

This

was

maker of the Family.

AMATI, ANTONIO JEROME,


AMATI, HIERONYMUS, son

1640 to 1670.
of Nicholas, born 1649. said to be the last

of the Family,

AMBROGI.
ANSELMO, PIETRO,

Venezia, i8th century,

ARTMANN, GOTH A,

Cremona

ASSALONE,

pattern.

Gaspard, Rome, i8th century, Cremona models.

B
BACHMANN, LOUIS CHARLES,

Berhn, born I7i6,dicd 1800; considered


They are of the flat, Stradiuarius model.

one of the best German makers.


varnish, and re ^mble the Cremonese closely.

amber
next

in point of qualii,,
(18)

Otto considers them

Dictionary of Violin 3Iakers.

19

BAGATELLA, PIETRO, Padua, 1766.


BAGATELLA, ANTONIO, Padua, 1782.
BAINES,

London, about 1780.

BAKER,

Oxford, about 1720,

BALESTRIERI, THOMAS,
pupil of Stradiuarius,

i8th century.

and made

after his

This excellent maker was a


model, with fine reddish yellow

varnish.

BALESTRIERI, PIETRO, Cremona, rather earlier


BANKS, BENJAMIN, Salisbury. Born 1727, died
"one

than Thomas.
1795.

Forster calls

him

of England's best makers."

chiefly of the

Amati pattern

His Cellos in particular are good,


varnish not very brilliant.

BANKS, BENJAMIN, son of the former, London, born 1754, died 1820.
BANKS, JAMES and HENRY, Salisbury, other sons of the same. James
was an

excellent

workman, and dates about

1805.

BARRETT, JOHN,

London, about 1725. He made some instruments of


very good tone, but rather inferior workmanship.
BARTON, GEORGE, London, died 1810.

BAUCH,

Leipzig.

BEKMAN, SWENO,

Stockholm, 1706.
Venetian maker, 1 8th century.

BELLOSIO,
phino

Similar to Sanctus Sera-

in pattern.

BENOIST,

Paris, i8th century.

BENTE, MATTEO,
Gaspar

di

Brescia, about 1580; a

maker of

merit in the style of

Salo and Maggini.

BAGANZI, FRANCISCO, Cremona, 1687.


BERGONZI, CARLO, Cremona, 1712 to 1755; considered by authorities to
be the best pupil of Stradiuarius. He made instruments of the same beautiful

and

brilliant

tone which rendered his master so famous.

BERGONZI, NICHOLAS, son of Carlo.


BERGONZI, MICHAEL ANGELO, another

BERNADEL,
BETTS, JOHN

son of Carlo.

Paris, i8th century.

and EDWARD. London, 1790-1823. They were said to


be pupils of Duke
and chiefly imitated the Cremona instruments.
They gained a good reputation both at home and abroad.
;

BRINTERNAGLE,
Cremona

BOCQUAY, JAQUES,
BODIO,
BOLLES,

Gotha, i8th century; a

German

imitator of the

Violins.
Paris, 1620; highly

Venezia, i8th century.


English, 1675.

esteemed

in

France,

Dictionary of Violin 3Iakers.

20

BORELLI, ANDREAS, Parma,

1740.

London.
BOULLANGIER,
BREMEISTER, JAN., Amsterdam,
BROSCHI, CARLO, Parma, 1744.
BRETON, (Le), Paris.

1707.

BROWN, JAMES, born 1760, died 1834.


BROWN, JAMES, son, born 1786, died i860.
Ratisbon, i8th century
BUCHSTADTER,
Brescia, about 1580.

BUDIANI, JAVIETTA,
pard

di

Salo

a good

Made

German maker.

after the style of

Gas-

and Maggini,

CAEStA, PIETRO ANTONIO DELLA,

Trevisa,

i8th century, imitated

Stradiuarius.

CAMILAS, CAMILE,

(de),

Mantua, 1720; esteemed as a pupil of Stra-

diuarius.

CAPPA, GIOFREDA,

at

Cremona

in 1590,

and Piemont

in 1640; pupil of

Nicholas Amati.

CAPPA, GUISEPPE, Saluzzo, end of i6th century.


(or Cappa), Mantua,
CAPPER,
CARTER, JOHN, London, 1789.
CARLO, GUISEPPE, Milan, 1769.
CASSINO, ANTONIO, Modena, 17th century.
CASTAGNERI, JEAN PAUL, Paris, 1639 to 1662,

considered one of the

best old French makers.

CASTAGNERI, ANDREA, Paris, i8th century.


CASTRO, CELIONTUS.

Mirecourt, France, i8th century.


CHANOT,
Paris, now living.
CHANOT,
CHANOT, GEORGE, London, now living.
CHAPPUIS, (or Chappuy), AUGUSTINE, about 1710.
CHARLES, THERESS, London, now livin*.
Mirecourt, i8th century.
CHERUTHI,
Paris, i8th century.
CHEVRIER,
CHRISTA, JOSEPH PAUL, Munich, 1730.
CHRISTOPHORI, BARTOLOMEO, Florence, i8th century.
CIRCAPA, THOMASO,

Naples, 1730, resembles Gagliano.

CLARK,

London.
COLE, THOMAS, London,

1690.

UNIT

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

COLLINGWOOD, JOSEPH, London, i8th


CONTRERAS, JOSEPH, Madrid, 1745.
CORSBY, GEORGE, London, 1830-60.
COSTA, PIETRO,

21

century.

della Treviso, 1660-90.

CONWAY, WILLIAM,

1745.

COLLIER, SAMUEL, 1755.


CRASK, GEORGE, Cremona imitator.
CROWTHER, JOHN, 1755 to 1810.
CROSS, NATHANIEL, London, about

1720.

D
DARDELLI, PIETRO, Mantua, 1500.
DAVIS, WILLIAM, London. 1800-1840.
DECOMBRE, AMBROISE, Tournay, 1700 to 1735.
DESPONS. ANTOINE, Paris, about 1725.
DIEHL, NICHOLAUS, Darmstadt, 17th century.
DIEHL,
Hamburg.
DODD, THOMAS, London; his instruments had considerable
Died

reputation.

age of 105 years.


son of the above.

in 1810, at the great

DODD, THOMAS,
DOMINICELLI,

Ferrara, i8th century.

DUKE, RICHARD,

London, 1767 to 1777. This artist was very celebrated


in his day
frequently stamped his name on the back.
DURFEL,
Altenburg, made good Violin and double Basses.
DUIFFOPRUGCAR, GASPARD, established in Bologna in 1510; this
appears to be the first maker of the Genuine VioUit his original name was
;

Tiefenbriicker.

E
EBERLE, JEAN ULRIC,
man makers.
EBERTI, TOMMASO,

Prague, 1749; this

is

one of the celebrated Ger-

about 1730.

EDLINGER, THOMAS, Prague, 171 5.


EDLINGER, JOSEPH JOACHIM, Prague,

son of Thomas, an excellent

maker.

ERNST, FRANCOIS ANTOINE, born


made some

excellent instruments.

EVANS, RICHARD, London,

1742.

in

Bohemia,

in 1745.

This

artist

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

22

FALLO,

Cremona,

FARINATO, PAUL,
FENDT, or FINTH,

1752.

Venezia, about 1700.


Paris, 1763-80

good instruments and very close copies

of Stradiuarius.

FENDT, BERNHARD,
imitations of the

FENDT,
FENDT,
FENDT,
FENDT,
FENDT,

born
Cremonas.

BERNARD SIMON,
MARTIN,

Nephew

1775, died 1825.

London, born

of the above

good

1800, died 1852.

brother of above, born 1812, died 1845.

JACOB, born

181

5,

died I849.

FRANCIS.
WILLIAM,

son of Bernard Simon, born 1833, died 1852.


Fendts have the reputation of being excellent workmen.

All the

FICHTOLD, HANS, 1612.


FICKER, JOHANN CHRISTIAN, Cremona, 1722. German workmanship.
FICKER, JOHANN GOTTLIEB, 1788.
FIORILLO, GIOVANNI, Ferrara, 1780.
FLEURY, BENOIST, Paris, about 1720.
FLORENTUS, FLORINUS, Bologna, 1690.
FORSTER, WILLIAM. The first violin maker of this celebrated name,
born 1713, died 1801.

FORSTER, WILLIAM

born 1739, ^i^d 1808.

brated for his violas and violoncellos, and

is

This maker was very celehighly esteemed in England;

FORSTER, WILLIAM, the third of the name; born 1764, died 1824.
FORSTER, WILLIAM, the fourth of the name; born 1788, died 1824.
FORSTER, SIMON ANDREW, born 1801, author, in conjunction

with

William Sandys, F. S. A., of an excellent work on the violin and other


instruments played with the bow.

FOURRIER, NICHOLAS,

Mirecourt, died in Paris, 18 16

after the

Cremona

school.

FRITZCHE, SAMUEL,

Leipsic, 1787, pupil of

Hunger

ber varnish,

FRITZ,

BERTHOLD.

FURBER,
FURBER,
FURBER,
FURBER,
FURBER,

Leipsic, 1757.

DAVID,

about 1700.
MATTHEW, son of David, 1740.
JOHN, grandson of David, 1759.

MATTHEW,
JOHN,

son of above, died 1840.

son of Matthew, 1840.

Italian

model, am-

23

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

Gr

GABRIELLE, GIOVANNI BAPTISTA,

Florence, i8th century. Very good

workmanship.

GAETANO, PASTA, Brescia, 1700. Good work.


GAETANO, ANT., Cremona, i860. Not in good proportions.
GAGLIANO, (or Galliano), ALESSANDRO, Naples, about 1710, pupil of
Stradiuarius. He made some good instruments which possess a bright and
sparkling tone.

GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
GAGLIANO,
by

JANUARIUS, Naples, 1740, son of Alessandro.


NICHOLAUS, Naples, another son of Alessandro.

FERDINANDO,

Naples, made
GUISEPPE, Naples, 1790.
GIOVANNI, Naples.

to 1790.

ANTONIO, Naples.
RAPHAEL, Naples, son of Giovanni.
ANTONIO, Naples, son of Giovanni. Most

this family

of the instruments

have a good quality of tone.

Piedmont, 1790.
GALERZENA,
Paris, one of the very best French makers, son-in-law to Lupot.
GAND,
GARANA, MICHAEL ANGELO, Bologna, an excellent maker; about 1700.
Piedmont, 1790.
GATTANANI,

GAVINIES,

Paris, 18th century.

GELDER, JOHANN BENEDICT, Fissen.


GELDER, JOHANN ANTONY, Fissen.
GERANS, PAUL, Cremona, about 1615.
GERLE, JEAN, Nuremberg, about 1540.
GILKES, SAMUEL, London, 1787 to 1827.
GILKES, WILLIAM, born 181 1.
GIORDANE, ALBERTO, Cremona, 1735.
GOBETTI, FRANCISCO,
an excellent

GOFRILLER, MATTEO,
Cremona

Venezia, about 1700; a pupil of Stradiuarius, and

artist.

Venezia, about 1725, a good maker, after the

pattern.

GOFRILLER, FRANCISCO, Venezia, about 1725.


GRAGNANI, ANTONIO, i8th century.
GRANCINO, GIOVANNI, Milan, middle of 17th century, pupil of Amati.
GRANCINO, PAOLO, same as above.
GRANCINO, GIOVANNI BAPTISTA, Milan, son of first named.
GRANCINO, GIOVANNI BAPTISTA, Milan, early in i8th century.

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

24

GRAN'CINO, FRANCISCO; this artist made


GRIMM,
Berlin, now living.
GROBITZ,
Warsaw, about 1750.

till

about 1760.

GUERSAN,
Paris, an excellent maker, about 1730.
GUGEMMOS,
Fissen, Bavaria.
GUIDANTUS, GIOVANNI FLORENUS, Bologna, about

1750,

an excellent

maker.

GULETTO, NICHOLAS, Cremona, about 1790.


GUADAGNINI, LORENZO, Cremona, 1690 to
and highly esteemed

maker

as

1720,

pupil of Straduarius,

followed the style of his celebrated

teacher.

GUADAGNINI, LORENZO,

Placentia and Milan, 1742, generally of the

smaller model, a careful workman.

GUADAGNINI, JOHANNES BAPTISTA, Cremona,

1710-50, pupil of Stra-

diuarius.

GUADAGNINI,
GUADAGNINI,
GUADAGNINI,
GUARNERIUS,

GUISSEPPE,

Turin, 1751.
Placenza, 1754-85.

GIOVANNI BAPTISTA,
GUISEPPE, Parma,

1793.

ANDREAS,

Cremona, born 1630, dates to 1680. Pupil of


Hieronymus Amati. First class workmanship.
GUARNERIUS, GUISEPPE, son of Andreas, Cremona, dates from 1690 to
1730. Very superior workmanship.

GUARNERIUS, PIETRO, son of Andreas.


GUARNERIUS, JOSEPH, nephew of Andreas.
Jesu to distinguish
the greatest

maker

him from

his cousin of the

of the Family, born 1683,

GUIDANTUS, GIOVANNI

F.,

Known

as Guiseppe del

same name. Joseph was


died 1745 at Cremona.

Bologna, 1740.

H
HAMUS, JOHANN GOTTFRIED, Rome, i8th century.
HARBOUR,
London, 1785.
HARDIE, MATTHEW, Edinburgh, about 1820.
HARDIE, THOMAS, son of above, 1856.
HARE, JOSEPH, London, 1720.
HARRIS, CHARLES, London, about 181 5.
HARRIS, CHARLES, son of the above.
HART, JOHN, London, maker and restorer, also a great
Italian instruments.

HART, GEORGE,

H ASSERT,

his son

and successor.

Rudolstadt, i8th century.

connoisseur of

25

Dictionary of Violin MaJcers.

H ASSERT,

Eisenach, i8th century.

HEESOM, EDWARD, London, 1750.


HELMER, CHARLES, Prague, 1740.
HILDEBRANDT, MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER, Hamburg,

1765.

HILL, WILLIAM, London, 1740.


HILL, WILLIAM, now living.
HILL, JOSEPH, London, 1770.

HIRCUTT,

English maker, about 1600.

HOFFMANN, MARTIN, Leipsic.


HOLLOWAY, J., London, 1794.
HUME, RICHARD, Edinburgh, about 1530,
HUNGER, CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK,

Leipsic, 1787, a superior Ger-

man maker.

J
JACOBI, MISSEN, a famous maker.
Amsterdam, 18th century.
JACOBS,
JAY,
JAY,
JAY,

HENRY, London, 1615.


THOMAS, London, about 1700.
HENRY, London, 1750, a maker

of Kits.

Dresden, about 1765, good German maker.


JAUCH,
JOHNSON, JOHN, London, 1753.
JULIANO, FRANCISCO, Rome, 1700.

K
KAMBL, JOHANN CORNELIUS,

1635.

KENNEDY, ALEXANDER, London, died 1785.


KENNEDY, JOHN, died 1816.
KENNEDY, THOMAS, London, said to have made

300 violoncellos.

KERLIN, JOAN, Brescia, 1450, a " viol " maker.


KIAPOSSE, SAWES, Petersburg, 1748.
KLOTZ, MATTHIAS, Tyrolese, about 1675.
KLOTZ, EGITIA, often considered the best of the family.
KLOTZ, GEORGE, brother of Egitia.
KLOTZ, SEBASTIAN, large model, perhaps the best of the family.
KLOTZ, MICHAEL, 1771.
KLOTZ, JOSEPH, son of Egitia, Mittenwald, 1774. Egitia and Sebastian
are considered the best makers of the family, and it is said that a " noble
lord " offered for one by Sebastian ^300 and an annuity of ^100.

KOHL, JEAN,

Munich, Luthier

to the Court, 1570.

26

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

KOLDITZ, MATTHIAS JOHANN, Munich, 1722.


KOLDITZ, JAQUES, Rumbourg in Bohemia, 1790.
KOLIKER,
Paris, a noted maker and collector,
KNITTING, PHILIP, Mittenwald, 1760.
KNITL, JOSEPH, Mittenwald, 1790.
KRINER, JOSEPH, Mittenwald, 1785.

LACASSO, ANTONIO MARIA,

Milan.

LAGETTO, Paris, about 1650.


LAMBERT, JOHANN HENRY, Berlin,
Nancy, 1760.
LAMBERT,
LANDOLPHI, CARLO, Florence, 1750,
Cremona

about 1750.

1760.

an excellent maker, followed the

pattern.

LANDOLPHI, FERDINAND, Milan, 1750.


LANSA, ANTONIO MARIA, 1675.
LAUTTEN, L. W.
LECLERC,
Paris, 8th century.
LENTZ, JOHANN NICHOLAUS, London, 1800.
1

LEWIS, EDWARD, London, about 1700.


LINAROLLI,
Venezia, about 1520, maker
LOLI,

J.,

of rebecs, &c.

Naples, 1627.

LOTT, JOHN FREDERICK, London, born 1775, died 1853.


LOTT, G. F., son of the above.
LOTZ, THEODORE, Prestburg, about 1735.
LUPOT, FRANCOIS, Stuttgard, about 1770.
LUPOT, NICHOLAS, born at Stuttgard, 1758, went to Orleans

1786,

Paris 1794, died 1824; this artist is considered the best of the French
kers he followed the models of Stradiuarius, used excellent wood
;

good varnish, much

in the style of that master.

and
maand

They now demand high

prices.

M
MAGGINI, GIOVANNI PAOLO,

Brescia,

1590 to 1640; this celebrated

was a pupil of Caspar di Salo. They are generally of a large pattern


with elevated model reaching almost to the edges narrow ribs, double
purfling, fine yellowish brown or golden colored varnish of good quality.
Dc Beriot introduced one which brought them at once into esteem and for
which he has been offered almost fabulous sums.

artist

27

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

MAGGINI, PIETRO SANTO,

Brescia,

followed the style of his father

MAIER,
this

son of Giovanni, 1630 to 1680

he was very famous

ANDREA FERDINAND,

Salzburg,

for his

1746.

Double Basses.

Little is

known

maker, except that he made the small Violin on which Mozart

of

first

learned to play,

MALDONNER,
MALLER, LAUX,

Bavaria, about 1760.


Venice, was an early and highly esteemed maker of

Lutes.

MARIANI, ANTONIO, Pesaro,


Verona, 1690.
MARATTI,

1570 to 1620, an imitator of Gaspard di Salo.

MARQUIS DE LAIR. French maker, about 1800.


MARSHALL, JOHN, London, 1760.
London, 1790,
MARTIN,
MAUCOTEL, CHARLES, London, an excellent workman.
MAUSIELL, LEONARD, Nuremberg, 1725, a close imitator of Steine.
MAYRHOF, ANDREA FERDINAND, Salzburg, 1740.
MEDARD, HENRY, Paris and Nancy. A superior French maker, pupil
of Nicholas Amati.

MERLIN, JOSEPH, London, about 1780.


MEUSIDLER, JEAN, Nuremberg, about 1540.
MEZZADIE, ALEXANDER, Ferrara, about 1700.
London, 1786.
MIER,
MILANI, FRANCISCO, Milan, about

1760.

MILLER,

London, about 1750.


MOHR, PHILIP. Hamburg, 1650.
MONTADE, GREGORIO. Cremona,

1735.

MONTAGNANA, DOMINICO, Venezia,

1725; this artist's instruments Were


of large size, the varnish exceedingly briUiant, of a yellowish red color,

and the tone everything

that can

be desired.

MORRISON, JOHN, London, 1780 to 1819.


MORELLA, MORGLATO, Mantua, about 1550.

N
NAMY,
Paris,
NAYLOR, ISAAC,

NEWTON,

ISAAC,

about 1800.
Leeds, 1788.
1780.

NICHOLAS,
Geneva, 1790.
NIGGEL, SYMPERTUS, Paris, about
NORMAN, BARAK, London, 1690 to

1650.

1740.

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

28

NORRIS AND BARNES, pupils of Thomas Smith, 1785 to 1818.


NOVELLO, VALENTINO, Venezia, about the middle of the i8th century.
NOVELLO, MARCO ANTONIO, Venezia, same date as above, i8th century.

o
OBUE, BARTOLOMEO, Verona.
ODOARDI, GUISEPPE, early i8th century.
OTTO, JACOB AUGUSTUS, born at Gotha,
celebrated

Book on

1762, died 1830; author of the

the Construction of the Violin.

He made some good

instruments.

PANORMO, VINCENZIO, born

near Palermo, 1734 went to England about


;

1772, died in 1813; his instruments are carefully constructed

models

on Cremona

his Cellos are particularly good.

PANORMO, JOSEPH, son, a good workman.


PANORMO, GEORGE LEWIS, another son.
PANORMO, EDWARD.
PAMPHILON, EDWARD, London, 1685.
PANSANI, ANTONIO, Rome, 1785.
PARKER, DANIEL, London, 1714.
PASTA, GAETANO, Brescia, early in the i8th century.
PASTA, DOMINICO, Brescia, same date.
PEARCE, JAMES and THOMAS, London, 1780.

PEMBERTON, J., London, 1580.


PFRETZSCHNER, GOTTLOB, Cremona,
PFRETZSCHNER, CARL FREDERICK.
PICHOL,
PIRINO,
PIQUE,

1749.

Cremona.

Paris.

Padua, 1712.
Paris an excellent maker and master of Lupot.
;

PIERRAY, or PIERRET, CLAUDE, Paris,


PERRY,
Dublin.
PIETE, NOEL, Paris, about 1785.
PLACK, FRANCIS, Schoenback, 1738.
POLLUSHA, ANTONIO, Rome, 1751.
PONS,
Grenoble,
POSSEN, LAUXMIN,

a charming

France, 1787.
Bavaria, about 1540.

POWELL, ROYAL and THOMAS, London,


PRESTON, JOHN, York, 1789.

1785.

workman.

29

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

R
Mantua,
RACCERIS,
Bavaria,
RAF,

RAMBEAUX,

Paris,

1670.

Like the Gaglianos.

an excellent workman.

RAPHAEL, NELLA, Brescia, i8th century.


RAUCH, JAQUES, Mannheim, 1730 to 1740.
RAUCH, SEBASTIAN, 1742 to 1763.
Breslau.
RAUCH,
Wurtzburg.
RAUCH,
RAUT, JEAN, Bretagne, about 1790.

RAYMAN, JACOB, London, 1641.


REICHEL, JOHANN GOTTFRIED, Absom.
REICHEL, JOHANN CONRAD, Neukirch, 1779.
Bamburg.

REISS,

REMY,

Paris.

RENISTO,

Cremona,

1740.

RICOZALIS, LUDOVICUS,

Pupil of Carlo Bergonzi.

1756.

RIMBOUTS, PETER, Amsterdam.


ROOK, JOSEPH, London, 1777 to 1852.
ROTH, CHRISTIAN, Augsburg, 1675.
18th century.
ROVELIN,

RUDGER,

Cremona.

RUGGERI, FRANCISCO, Cremona,

1670 to 1720.

This maker ranks high

Amatis their quality is


similar, and the style of work is easily seen to belong to the same class
some of his grand pattern are said to even surpass the Amatis. His

his instruments are considered nearly equal to the

work

is

extremely clean, and the varnish

fine.

RUGGERI, GUIDO, Cremona, 1679.


RUGGERI, GIOVANNI BAPTISTA, son of Francisco, Brescia,
RUGGERI, PIETRO GIACOMO, Brescia, 170010 1720.
RUGGERI, VINCENZIO, 1700 to 1730.
RUPPERT, FRANCIS, Erfurth.

1696.

s
SAINT, PAUL, Paris, about 1650.
SALO, GASPAR DI, Brescia, from

1560 to 1610.

This celebrated

artist

was a contemporary of the ancient Amatis. The varnish on which the


great Cremonese makers estabUshed that notable reputation which distinguishes them to the present day, bears a strong analogy to that of Gaspar

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

30
di Salo,

holes.

His instruments are large, double purfled, and large sound


is esteemed the greatest maker of his time.

He

SALLE,

Paris, 1800.

SANONL GIOVANNI BAPTISTA,


SANTI, GIOVANNI, Naples,

SANCTUS, SERAPHINO,

Verona,

1730-

Venezia, about 1730; of the Steiner school, and

superior workmanship.

Cremona.
SAPINO,
SANZO, SANTINO, Milan.
born in Lorraine, 1740.
SAUNIER,
SCHEINLEIN, MATTHIAS FREDERICK,

Langenfeld, born 1710. died

1771.

SCHEINLEIN, JEAN MICHAEL,


Cassel, 1817.
SCHMIDT,
SCHONGER, FRANCIS, Erfurth.
SCHONGER, GEORGE, Erfurth.

SCHORN, JACOB, Salzbourg.


SCHORN, JOHANN, Inspruck,
SCHOTT, MARTIN, Prague.

SHAW,

London,

Langenfeld, born 1751.

1688.

1656.

SIMPSON, JOHN, London, 1790.


SIMPSON, J. and J., sons of the above.
Salzbourg, 1722.
SIMON,
Paris.
SIMON,
SMITH, HENRY, London, 1629.
SMITH, THOMAS, London, 1756 to 1799.
SMITH, WILLIAM, London, 1771.

SOLOMON,
SPEILER,

a good French maker.


18th century.

STADELMAN, DANIEL, Vienna, 1744.


STADELMAN, JOHANN JOSEPH, Vienna,
STEFANO, 1725.
STEINER, JACOB,

of

Absom

in the Tyrol,

1784.

born about 1620,

at the

age of

seventy retired to a Convent while yet a youth he obtained employment


with Nicholas Amati, and made some instruments which, with the sixteen
(called the Electors') are considered the finest specimens of his talent.
At the present time they are not considered so valuable as the great Ital;

ian masters.

STOSS. FRANCIS, Bavaria.

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

81

STORIONI, LORENZO, Cremona, living in 1782, said to be the last of


great Cremona makers. They resemble those of Joseph Guarnerius.

STRADIUARIUS, ANTONIUS, Cremona, born

the

1644, died 1737, at the grc at

age of ninety-three. In the early part of his life he was a pupil of Nicholi^
Amati. He afterwards enlarged his model and adopted a flatter patter i,
and arrived at the greatest perfection about 1700; from that period to
1725 everything bore the impress of the great master. He excelled at that
time

all

who had gone

were adjubted
difficult

him

before

harmonious

in

task of vieing with him.

diuarius were as

now, contrary

good and

in the

accuracy with which

relation, or

M.

who have

all

the parts

since attempted the

Fetis insists that the violins of Stra-

when made as they arc


time and use are necessary to develop them.

fine in quality of tone

to the fact that

STRADIUARIUS, HOMOBONO, Cremona,

son of Antonius made under


the direction of his father, signed " Sub disciplina A. Stradiuarius."

STRADIUARIUS, FRANCISCO, Cremona,

another son of Antonius, signed

the same.

STRAUBE,
Berlin,
SURSANO, SPIRITUS,

1770.

Coni, 1764.

T
TAYLOR,
London, 1770 to 1820.
TECHLER, DAVID, about 1706. He made some

beautiful

and

excellent

instruments.

TENZEL,

No particulars.
TEODITI, JEROME, Rome, 1750.

TESTATOR, IL VECCHIO, Milan, about 1520.


An Italian, a most eminent judge of instruments.
TERRESIO,
TESTORE, CARLO GUISEPPE, Cremona, about 1700. This artist made
some very good instruments

after the

TESTORE, CARLO ANTONIO,


TESTORE, PAOLO ANTONIO,

THOROWGOOD, HENRY,
TOBIN,
TONINI,
TONINI,
TONINI,
TONINI,

London, 1800

Guarnerius pattern.

Milan, i7ioto 1730.


Milan, 1720 to 1740.

London, i8th century.

to 1836.

FELICE, Bologna.

ANTONIO, Bologna.
CARLO, Bologna.
GUIDO, Bologna.
TONONI, CARLO, Venezia, 1699.
TONONI, GIOVANNI, Venezia, 1699. The
worthy of praise.

They

are very scarce.

instruments of this maker are

Dictionary of Violin Makers.

32

TORINO,

London.

TORTOBELLO, Rome, 1680.


Cremona, 1660.
TRUNCO,

u
URQUART, THOMAS,

London,

1650.

V
VALLER,
Marseille, 1683.
VERON,
Paris, about 1725.
VIARD, NICHOLAS, Versailles, about 1730.
VIBRECHT, GYSBERT, Amsterdam, 1707.
VETTRINI, Brescia, old and very handsome,
VIMERCATI, PAULO, Venezia, 1700.
VOGEL, WOLFGANG, Nuremberg.
VUILLAUME, JEAN, 1700 to 1740.
VUILLAUME, JEAN BAPTISTE, Paris. Celebrated
maker, and

for his copies of the

as a Violin

and bow

Cremonese instrument.

w
WAGNER, JOSEPH, Constance, 1733.
WAMSLEY, PETER, London, 1727.
WEAVER, SAMUEL, London.
WEISS, JACOB,

Salzburg, 1761.

WENGER. GREGORIO FERDINAND, Salzburg, 1761.


WEYMANN, CORNELIUS, Amsterdam, 1682.
WIGHTMAN, GEORGE, 1761.
WITHALM, LEOPOLD, Nuremberg, 1765 to 1788. Finely made
closely resemble Steiner.

WITHERS, EDWARD, now


WISE, C, London,

WORNUM,

living.^

1656.

London, 1794.
London, 1745.

WRIGHT. DANIEL,

Y
YOUNGE, JOHN,

London, 1724.

z
ZANETTO, PEREGRINO, Brescia, 1540.
ZANTI, ALESSANDRO, Mantua, 1770.

ZANOLLI.
OF THE

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