All Historical articles
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: c.1694 ‘Ovcharov’ Stradivari violin
One of Stradivari’s Long Pattern instruments, the violin has a false label incorrectly dating it to 1705
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: 1705–10 ‘Maurer, van Veen, Elphinstone’ Stradivari violin
A fine example of Stradivari’s ‘golden period’, the instrument has a two-piece back of gloriously flamed maple
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: 1727 ‘Iwasaki’ Stradivari cello
Named after Japanese cellist Ko Iwasaki, the instrument has recently been loaned to Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: 1710 Stradivari violin
The ‘golden period’ violin is currently played by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Ludvig Gudim
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2027: c.1725 ‘Da Vinci’ Stradivari violin
One of two Stradivari violins named after the Renaissance genius, the c.1725 ’Da Vinci’ is played by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s David Coucheron
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe Strad Calendar 2027: Norway’s pride and joy
The Strad Calendar 2027 features eleven Stradivari instruments, all taken from the collection of the Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation. Christian Lloyd examines the treasures
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Premium ❘ FeatureAn overlooked wonder: Pietro Barbieri
Despite having made only a handful of instruments in his career, Pietro Barbieri proved to be one of Mantua’s most accomplished luthiers. Philip Kass and Andrea Zanrè look into his life and examine an instrument from 1826
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Premium ❘ FeatureIn the midst of transition: the French transitional period – part two
In the second of two articles on the French transitional period, Florent Boyer examines the development of the violin in Paris between 1790 and 1830 – and how Nicolas Lupot’s influence proved to be seismic
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Premium ❘ FeatureMatthew Hardie: ‘The Scottish Stradivari’
Matthew Hardie, who died 200 years ago this year, was possibly Scotland’s most influential violin maker. To mark the anniversary, David Rattray tells the story of his life and examines a selection of his violas
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Premium ❘ FeatureChanging of the guard: French transitional period – part one
The ‘transitional period’ in French lutherie usually refers to the period of change from the Baroque bow to the Tourte model. In the first of two articles, Florent Boyer illustrates how violin making also underwent a seismic shift through the 18th century and into the 19th
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrank Kovanda: bow man to the stars
Frank Kovanda is acknowledged as one of America’s finest 20th-century bow makers. Gennady Filimonov tells his story and examines some examples of his work
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FocusA 1911 cello by luthier Władysław Baczyński (1866–1935)
While the Polish luthier made more than 200 violins during his lifetime, only a handful of cellos are known. In the second of two articles marking the 160th anniversary of his birth on 25 June 1866, Grzegorz Kaproń looks at his limited forays into cello making, while Henry Riedstra examines ...
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FocusA 1908 viola by luthier Władysław Baczyński (1866–1935)
In the first of two articles marking the 160th anniversary of the Polish luthier’s birth on 25 June 1866, Grzegorz Kaproń gives a brief overview of his life while Henry Riedstra examines a typical viola by the maker
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Premium ❘ FeatureOut of the dark: the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
The ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin of 1742 was once believed lost – and its rediscovery in 2002 was a heart-pounding moment for the experts. Frédéric Chaudière recalls the compelling story of the instrument’s authentication
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Premium ❘ FeatureBig is beautiful: violoncello da spalla
After decades of relative neglect, the violoncello da spalla is undergoing a resurgence of interest. Daniela Gaidano, who has made several examples, looks into its history and explains its appeal for both players and makers
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Premium ❘ FeatureSgarabotto and Ornati: lives in fragments
When Giuseppe Ornati and Pietro Sgarabotto donated the contents of their workshops to the Cremona School of Violin Making, they ensured an enduring legacy. Luca Baratto and Matteo Giovanetti tell the story and examine some of the treasures
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FocusWhy do some 18th-century French violins have an ebony border round the edges?
Inspired by a c.1760 Chappuy instrument, violinist and cellist Michel Lorge considers the reasons for an unusual stylistic quirk of 18th-century violin making
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Premium ❘ FeatureRudolf Neudörfer: guardian of a lineage
The German bow maker Rudolf Neudörfer celebrates his 90th birthday next month. Gennady Filimonov looks back at his life and career, exploring the Neudörfer dynasty of makers and examining his bows
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Premium ❘ FeatureIberian lutherie guilds: Tradition and Innovation
Instrument making in the Iberian peninsula was once tightly controlled by a network of guilds. Pablo Soriano examines regulations and personal documents to reveal the details of luthiers’ working lives
