Scan 174
The violin, its famous makers and their imitators, 1887
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1us two distinct Italian manufactures. I am not aware of the existence of an Italian work which treats of four-stringed Viols. The German work of Martin Agricola, however, entitled, "Musica Instrumentalis," published in 1529, mentions them. Four instruments are there described, all of unsightly shape, called respectively, Decantus, Altus, Tenor, and Bassus, the first-named instrument with four strings. It therefore appears that four-stringed Viols were used in Germany early in the sixteenth century, and that they were re-modelled by the Brescian makers in conformity with the taste of the Italians.
3To Gasparo da Salò belongs the credit of having laid the foundation of the Italian style of Violin-making. In his works may be traced the gradual development of the system upon which his followers built their reputation, viz., a well-defined model, excellent materials, and choice varnish. It is to be regretted that his immediate followers, with the exception of Paolo Maggini, departed from the path so successfully trodden by this great pioneer. But for this deviation, the work of the early Amatis and a few others would have occupied a higher position than that which they now command. They were men possessing great abilities, and might easily have carried out the designs of the great Brescian maker. They appear, however, to have arrived at a different conclusion as regards the form of their instrument from that shaped by Gasparo da Salò. Their works show an evident preference for the high model, and thus undid much that Gasparo had accomplished. It is clear that Gasparo only arrived at his conclusions after painstaking labour, for he commenced with the high form, and gradually, as experience taught, lowered it. It is further remarkable that the latter members of the Amati family
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