All Historical articles – Page 4
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolin maker Otto Schünemann: A Romantic visionary
Although Otto Schünemann’s violins were praised by everyone from Vuillaume to Sarasate, his name is barely recognised today. Clifford Hall tells the story of this idealistic luthier who strove to bring the glories of the Cremonese masters to 19th-century Germany
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Premium ❘ FeatureScarampella and Gadda: The art of the deal
Signed 100 years ago, an agreement between luthier Stefano Scarampella and his apprentice Gaetano Gadda has recently been discovered. Philip Kass explains how it shines a light on the business relationship between two of Mantua’s leading 20th-century makers
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Premium ❘ FeatureElias Placht: how one man founded the violin making tradition of Schönbach
By the early 20th century, the town of Schönbach was producing tens of thousands of violins per year – but the industry began with just one man. Christian Hoyer sifts through the records to reveal the life and legacy of Elias Placht
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe Fulton collection: Magnificent obsession
For decades, top soloists would visit the home of David Fulton to sample the treasures of his legendary collection. Now dispersed, the instruments have been brought together again in book form. The collector shares some of the highlights with Christian Lloyd
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Premium ❘ FeatureFilippo de Filippi: From Vatican to varnish
The 19th-century violin maker Filippo de Filippi had an unusual route to his chosen career, taking in the Papal court, the Risorgimento and Rome’s cultural milieu. Stefano Pio explores his intriguing life
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NewsDextra Musica presents an instrument Advent calendar
The Christmas calendar features instruments from the foundation’s extensive collection
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1742 ‘Lord Wilton’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
Best known as Yehudi Menuhin’s instrument for much of his career, the violin is still in an excellent state of preservation
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NewsLost Guarneri documents resurface after nearly a century
Florian Leonhard shares some insights from recent investigations of a freshly re-discovered volume of archives, which mainly focus on the presence of Andrea Guarneri (1623-1698) and his sons
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1733 ‘Sassoon’ Antonio Stradivari violin
Made when the master luthier was 89 years old, it has plentiful, rich reddish-brown varnish
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Premium ❘ FeatureLuigi Mozzani: Renaissance Man
As a luthier, musician, composer, teacher and successful businessman, Luigi Mozzani spread his talents far and wide. Lorenzo Frignani examines his eventful career, which produced all kinds of instruments
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1737 ‘Panette’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
For years the main instrument used by Isaac Stern, it is now in the hands of Renaud Capuçon.
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1739 ‘Beatrice Harrison’ Pietro Guarneri of Venice cello
One of only five or six cellos made by the luthier, it was the British cellist’s principal performing instrument for many years
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: c.1580 Gasparo da Salò viola
One of the very few violas by the Brescian luthier that has never been cut down
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1737 ‘King Joseph’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin
Once considered the crowning achievement of Guarneri’s career, this instrument has pristine golden-orange varnish
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Premium ❘ FeatureGerman bow makers in America: Across the Atlantic
Many, if not most, of the earliest bow makers working in America originally hailed from Germany. Raphael Gold discovers how they helped lay the foundations for the industry
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1740 ‘Fritz Kreisler’ Carlo Bergonzi violin
One of the finest existing examples of Bergonzi’s work, the instrument still retains its original neck
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1713 ‘Bass of Spain’ Antonio Stradivari cello
An extraordinary instrument by the master luthier, with an even more incredible provenance
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FocusThe Strad Calendar 2024: 1709 ‘La Pucelle’ Antonio Stradivari violin
Considered to be the first instrument made during the master luthier’s ‘golden period’, the violin is in an excellent state of preservation
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NewsCremona Museo del Violino dedicates room to Simone Sacconi
The influential Italian luthier and scholar died 50 years ago at the age of 78
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Premium ❘ FeatureNorwegian Wood: The history of the Hardanger fiddle
Regarded as Norway’s national instrument, the Hardanger fiddle is the product of a long evolution beginning in medieval times. Wiebke Lüders presents a history of the instrument’s development, profiling some of the most notable artisans
