Nicolo Amati: biography, features of the instruments of the Amati dynasty, students of Nikolo

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Nicolo Amati: biography, features of the instruments of the Amati dynasty, students of Nikolo
Nicolo Amati: biography, features of the instruments of the Amati dynasty, students of Nikolo

Video: Nicolo Amati: biography, features of the instruments of the Amati dynasty, students of Nikolo

Video: Nicolo Amati: biography, features of the instruments of the Amati dynasty, students of Nikolo
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Nicolo Amati, whose biography is presented in this article, was born in Cremona. He was an outstanding violin maker, one of the best in the world. His instruments are still highly valued today. Nikolo had many students.

Founder of the dynasty

nicolo amati
nicolo amati

Nicolo Amati was the most famous representative of the legendary dynasty of violin makers, founded by his grandfather Andrea. It is not known exactly when the genius was born. He inherited the workshop of his grandfather, which he opened in Cremona with his brother. The Amati family made not only violins, but also other stringed and bowed instruments. They are developers of their own technologies. Violins of the modern type were invented by this dynasty. Nicolò improved the instruments made by his ancestors, giving them a new look and sound more beautiful.

Nikolo

nicolo amati tools
nicolo amati tools

As mentioned above, Nicolo Amati made the violin more perfect. The instruments he created were purchasedstrong and bright voice, their sound became more flying, while remaining gentle and beautiful.

He increased the size of the violin, made it more graceful and thinner in the waist. I changed the composition of the varnish coating, made it transparent and more shiny, changed its color - added different tones to it.

Nicolo Amati created a school where he taught future violin makers. The number of free students who served as his apprentices included the son of a genius, Girolamo. Many masters who later founded their own dynasties and opened their own schools studied with N. Amati. Among them were A. Stradivari and A. Guarneri.

The most famous Italian students

nicolo amati biography
nicolo amati biography

The world's best violin maker Anthony Stradivari is a student of Nicolo Amati. The exact date of his birth is not known to historians and musicologists.

Most of his instruments have survived to this day in excellent working order. The owners of violins, cellos, violas and guitars of this master are only world-famous virtuosos and collectors. Today, about seven hundred and twenty instruments by A. Stradivari are recited, among them there is even one harp.

Antonio, having completed his studies, opened his workshop. Antonio perfected the violins created by N. Amati and surpassed his teacher in skill. Until now, the instruments of A. Stradivari are considered the best. What is the secret of the amazing sound of his violins is still unknown.

Another famous student of Nicolò Amati is Andrea Guarneri. He subsequently founded hisdynasty of violin makers. His business was continued by his sons - Pietro, Giovanni Battista and Giuseppe. The last of them became the most famous representative of the family and was the best in his dynasty, surpassed his father in skill.

Student from Germany

student nicolo amati
student nicolo amati

Nicolo Amati taught not only Italians. He also had students from other countries. The most famous of them is Jakob Steiner from Tyrol. Nothing is known about his origins and parents. This personality is rather mysterious, in her biography there are many gaps and mysteries that have not been solved so far. There is no mention of his birth in church books.

After studying with N. Amati, Jacob opened his workshop in his homeland. He rose to fame very quickly. During the life of J. Steiner, there was a period when his violins were valued in Europe more than the masterpieces of A. Stradivari. This was the case until the 18th century.

His instruments met all the requirements of the time. They were chamber. J. Steiner lost the leading position to A. Stradivari and other masters from Cremona, when new requirements were presented to the violins, it became necessary that their sound be suitable for performances in large halls with a considerable number of listeners. Today, experts believe that the instruments of both these masters are equivalent, not inferior to each other in terms of sound quality, worthy of being called the best.

Wood and all the necessary materials for the manufacture of his tools Jacob Steiner bought in Venice. The violin of this master was distinguished by a steeper vault andelaborately carved lion heads on the neck. His instruments had a special sound - their voices were more gentle, thin, shrill and sonorous than those of Italian masters. Jakob Steiner is considered the father of the German violin.

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