Scan 138
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 90. See the scan on archive.org.
1schools. There is a beautiful subdued glow in Gisalberti's unspoilt coats of varnish, combined with exceeding clearness and softness, which to many would be far preferable to a more positive colour with risk of a charge of gaudiness.
3In criticising Gisalberti's tone as the third item, nothing too high can be said of it. As with all other tone masters, his violins differ in their degrees of power, although in common with the leaders in each school the same species of tone quality is adhered to.
5Some of his violins have an extraordinary sonority, capable in all essentials of satisfying the demands of the most exacting soloist anxious to make his mark in a crowded concert hall.
7The wood of which he constructed his instruments has before been referred to, but a few words may be added about the exact similarity of his sycamore to that used by Joseph Guarnerius up to his latest known dates. Almost invariably handsome in curl, it has the peculiarity of not turning to the dirty brown common to most of the wood used by other makers of the time and various localities. On close examination, the apparently light colour still pervading it after such a lapse of time, is found to be caused chiefly by the brightness or glitter of the interstices or pores, and only by trying the wood under different unreflected lights, will the actual local colour be clearly discernible.
9From the exactness with which the sycamore of Gisalberti agrees in all respects with that of his pupil Joseph Guarnerius, we may fairly draw our conclusions, that not only was the wood of both selected from the same district, but the first in all probability informed the other of the means or whereabouts for obtaining it. That both used identically the same kind of tree, appreciating its great virtues, is a fact full of interest to the connoisseur and modern maker, and if a trifle more information of the same kind could be obtained it might be the means of opening up very important clues in other directions.
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