Books › Violin tone and violin makers, 1916 › scan 197
Scan 197
Violin tone and violin makers, 1916
4 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 175. See the scan on archive.org.
1AND VIOLIN MAKERS
3Guadagnini and saved him in Turin from destitution. At the death of this distinguished amateur, something like fifty of Guadagnini's instruments, with other valuable violins, were amongst his effects. Guadagnini seems to have worked first in Milan, then at Piacenza, later at Parma, where he was court maker to the duke, and lastly at Turin, to which city he migrated in 1772. There seems to be little doubt that he was acquainted with the composition of the celebrated Cremonese varnish, and used it, though comparatively infrequently, on some of his finest efforts. Some of his fiddles are models of good work, fine wood, and beautiful varnish, but his average instrument may fairly be described in less glowing terms. The varnish on most of those dating from Turin is a red, almost scarlet in some cases, of much brilliance, but less soft in texture than the true Cremonese. In earlier work the tints are less glaring, perhaps partly owing to the effect of time. The pattern resembles Stradivari's. The sound-holes in many cases show rather a pronounced sweep in their upper turns. In a good many later examples, one is set a trifle higher than the other. The violins are generally rather under fourteen inches long, and the violoncellos almost always measure about twenty-eight inches or a trifle over. Very high prices have been paid in recent years for his best examples. The finest violin of his make ever seen by the writer, was sold by Mr. Hart about two years since for £800; and higher figures have been reached more recently still. GIUSEPPE GUADAGNINI (Joseph), circa 1736-1805. Was second son of the foregoing maker, and worked at Milan, Como, and Parma. Work heavier-looking than that of his father. The violins are apparently of somewhat larger pattern. The arching generally flat and the sound-holes broad in the stem.
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