Scan 23
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 5. See the scan on archive.org.
1There can be no mistake that in estimating the position of the Amatis, they are found to have occupied a position of the highest importance in the practice of an art then generally recognised over Europe as being a particular Italian speciality, and further, by renown, of the city of Cremona itself. The mention of this name was then, as now, synonymous with a violin of superlative excellence.
3The culminating point of the art of Cremona—for that had become the chief settlement of the industry—was not destined to be reached by a member of the Amati family, notwithstanding the fact of the greatest among them having brought the elegance of form, proportion, and finish, to a pitch beyond which there seemed to be no possibility of advance.
5Indeed, it must have seemed to thoughtful musicians of the period that the art of producing the combined excellencies was likely to remain at one standard, that which had been hitherto maintained with such masterful and unrivalled ability for generations.
7This was not to be so, however; notwithstanding the fact of the greatest genius of the Amati family being one of the latest, and he moreover proving the possibility of going a step further on the same lines, the highest degree had not yet been reached. This was not destined to be accomplished by one of the family in name or blood relationship; it was to be a continued development of their genius in a sense no less true or direct in the person of their greatest pupil, Antonio Stradivari, whose work of hand so early in his career gave evidence of that personal and careful training, of the kind which the great masters of other arts are known to have received and then transmitted in turn to younger ones.
9But while this lineal descent of the highest qualities of the art of violin making at Cremona seemed likely to be continuous, the name of the place having in foreign countries as well as locally become synonymous in the musical world with that of a fine violin, there were branches and off-shoots also from the famous centre of the art. Pupils had departed into different cities, with
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