Scan 13
A catalogue of the Lyon & Healy collection of rare old violins, violas …, 1916
14 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1violinist Wieniawski, who played it in hundreds of concerts, having used it, we understand, on his famous American tour with Anton Rubenstein in 1872-73. It was also, at one time, in the possession of Leonard, the famous Belgian virtuoso. (Plate I.)
3Price: $18,000
5CARLO BERGONZI, CREMONA, 1723
7Number 4622. Carlo Bergonzi was the greatest pupil of Stradivarius. Choice specimens of his work are exceedingly rare on account of the comparatively small number he made and the fact that they have always been much sought by connoisseurs.
9The tone of a fine Bergonzi approaches very closely that of a fine Stradivarius. It differs, however, in certain respects, for Bergonzi was not in any sense a copyist but an originator. His model differs very materially from Stradivarius and, of course, more widely from Guarnerius or any other of the great Italian makers. Such fine points as differ in the quality of violin tone are exceedingly difficult to describe successfully in words but they are easily heard when instruments are tried side by side. It always gives us great pleasure to demonstrate these differences to interested persons for they are as distinct as are the voices of great singers.
11Bergonzi made comparatively few violins. He was not a rapid workman but took infinite pains with everything he did. His workshop was next to that of his great master in the Piazza at Cremona, while Guarnerius occupied a house on the farther corner. In the keen competition which existed in Cremona in those days, only makers of exceptional skill could succeed. It required on their part the greatest attention to details and their instruments needed to possess exceptional tone qualities in order to attract buyers. This is why instruments produced by Cremonese makers represent such a very high average of quality.
13This specimen is in a most remarkable state of preservation. It is, today, practically as it was when it left its maker's hands and in consequence its tone is of the greatest purity and sweetness, and at the same time has great volume and carrying power. It is a very beautiful instrument
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