For Subscribers

Power and majesty: Domenico Montagnana ‘Farina’ cello 1730

2025-06-20T09:15:00

Farina Montagnana

Made by Domenico Montagnana in 1730, the ‘Farina’ cello is a stunning instrument with a rich, powerful sound. John Waddle and Steve Sirr delve into its history and show how CT scans helped gather measurements for this month’s poster

The 1730 Domenico Montagnana cello known as the ‘Farina’ is part of a rare breed: one that survived the rigours of the 19th century intact. Most large-size cellos were reduced in size during that time, owing to the demands of new repertoire and the changing needs of the player. By the end of the century, the number of uncut Montagnana cellos – and indeed those of his contemporaries, such as Matteo Gofriller and Francesco Gobetti – was minimal, which is why examining the ‘Farina’ feels somewhat like looking into a crystal ball to view an instrument almost as it came from the maker’s workshop ‘alla Cremona’…

Already subscribed? Please sign in

Subscribe to continue reading…

We’re delighted that you are enjoying our website. For a limited period, you can try an online subscription to The Strad completely free of charge.

  • Free 7-day trial

    Not sure about subscribing? Sign up now to read this article in full and you’ll also receive unlimited access to premium online content, including the digital edition and online archive for 7 days.

    Free trial

    No strings attached – we won’t ask for your card details

  • Subscribe 

    No more paywalls. To enjoy the best in-depth features and analysis from The Strad’s latest and past issues, upgrade to a subscription now. You’ll also enjoy regular issues and special supplements* and access to an online archive of issues back to 2010.

    Subscribe

 

* Issues and supplements are available as both print and digital editions. Online subscribers will only receive access to the digital versions.