This article is taken from The Strad April 2009.
Written by Sean Bishop, Photographs Richard Valencia

Maker Marino Capicchioni

Nationality Italian

Born Santa Mustiola, 1895

Died Rimini, 1977

Instrument Viola

Date 1950

Maker

Marino Capicchioni was born in 1895 in the region of the Republic of San Marino, and spent most of his working life in the seaside town of Rimini on the east coast of Italy. His father Bernardio was a carpenter and from an early age Marino learnt this trade. Music was important to the Capicchioni family, a fact that probably influenced Marino’s eventual career as a violin maker.
No known maker was associated with Capicchioni and his making style does not resemble that of any of his local contemporaries, so it is safe to assume that he must have been self-taught. From the mid-1940s Capicchioni’s son, Mario, assisted him in his workshop. After Capicchioni’s death in 1977, Mario continued to make violins based on his father’s model. During his lifetime, Capicchioni’s instruments belonged to many famous musicians including Yehudi Menuhin, Salvatore Accardo, and David and Igor Oistrakh. This viola was owned by a Swiss collector until 2008, when it was sold to the British violist John Thorne.

Material

Capicchioni always chose spruce and maple of a very high quality, and he regarded his wood as an important factor in the tone quality of his instruments. The top of this viola is quite unusual in that the grain is not always straight up and down – there is a small wave or kink near the eyes of the soundholes. On the back a mineral stain is quite evident, yet somehow in Capicchioni’s hands these minor flaws in the wood become key features of this viola.

Varnish

The alcohol-based varnish sits on a beautiful light red ground, and Capicchioni’s treatment of the top seems to accentuate the grain lines. This treatment, which he uses on all his instruments, gives them the slightly softened look that is difficult for new makers to achieve. However, one could not claim that the varnish has an antique appearance.

Form

This viola is based on a Stradivari model, and for a relatively large instrument it seems very in proportion to the eye. Capicchioni was also one of the few Italian makers to use the Tertis viola model; he even used this form for some violins and cellos. These are out of fashion among today’s musicians, but they are quite curious to come across, if rather difficult to play.

Scroll

The scroll is a work of art in style and proportion. The finely carved volutes are evidence of a maker of the highest order at work. The chamfers and eye of the scroll are slightly rounded over, like the edgework of the outline of the viola, to give a softened look.

Soundholes

The f-holes sit very straight up and down the viola with a rather large bottom eye. Very much in keeping with the Stradivari model, they are executed with clean perfection and lend the sense of grandeur that this wonderful viola demands.

This article is taken from The Strad January 2008.

Written by Sean Bishop, Photographs Richard Valencia 

Maker Vincenzo Postiglione

Nationality Italian

Born Naples, 1831

Died Naples, 1916

Instrument Violin

Date 1891

History

Made in 1891, this instrument is a typical example of Postiglione’s work from 1890 to 1910, and it is in excellent condition. Its first, early certificate is from the Amsterdam firm of Max Möller, and the violin seems to have spent most of its life in Holland. It is now played by Matthew Denton, leader of the London-based Carducci Quartet.

Model

As with most Postiglione violins of this period, this violin is a mixture of models. We can see Gagliano-form as well as a dash of Guadagnini, particularly through the C-bouts.

Arching

The arching of this violin and most Postiglione violins in general is quite low, which contributes to the overall large tonal power these instruments possess.

Purfling

The fine purfling goes into a beesting end, elevating the beauty of this violin.

Soundholes

The f-holes are highly characteristic of Postiglione’s style, which incorporates a mixture of influences from Stradivari to G.B. Guadagnini. They are somewhat straight-up in style with rather large bottom stems that show elegant fluting.

Materials

The fine two-piece back is of highly figured maple with a descending curl. No pins can be seen in this instrument although other Postiglione examples sometimes have them. The maker often used internal and external brands, sometimes on the back button. His instruments also often feature a signed dedication and drawings.

Scroll

Probably the weakest element of this violin, the scroll seems very much a Gagliano copy, tightly fisted in style but saved by elegant, deeply fluted volutes that still have a sharp edge.

Just yesterday I had a customer visit me looking for an old violin around £5000. My first thoughts are always "Why old?". In the last 20 years new violin making has had a resurgence and today's new violins (at this price  level) will exhibit , better wood, better workmanship and in my view sound better! For £5000 she was looking for an old French or German violin because her teacher told her that's what she should get .

However my feeling is you have to get the best sounding violin for this money and even if it ends up being a Chinese hand made instrument (shock horror!) Perhaps if you spend £10K or more, things such as "Antique" factor play a part in your purchase however for most people they want to make a better sound than the one they currently produce.  What do you think?

Welcome to my new website!

Like most dealers my stock changes over the year but in the past my website did not! I now plan to have every instrument and bow listed. So please come back often to check my lists. I am also open to new ideas that people would like to see on the website. I am always happy to answer violin related questions so please feel free to post anything.

Over the past ten years the way violin dealers have worked has changed. No longer is it a visit to a "posh" shop, feeling guilty even asking for a violin that might not be that expensive! In my shop the focus is on finding the customer the right instrument or bow. Whatever your budget I can promise you that I will give you my best level of service. I hope to see you soon!

Join my facebook page