Joseph Grubaugh and Sigrun Seifert are widely regarded as one of the finest violin making teams working today. Partners in both craft and life, this husband-and-wife duo has been collaborating in the art of violin making for over forty years, earning international acclaim for their instruments’ exceptional tone, refined craftsmanship, and elegant aesthetic. Their instruments …
Joseph Grubaugh and Sigrun Seifert – Violin Makers Read More »
Marino Capicchioni was an Italian luthier known for his craftsmanship and innovative approach to violin making. Born in Santa Mustiola, in the Republic of San Marino, Capicchioni was the second of seven children to Virginia Cecchetti and Bernardo Capicchioni, a carpenter. He grew up in a woodworking environment, assisting his father, and later became interested …
Marino Capicchioni (1895–1977): A Master Violin Maker of Rimini Read More »
Nestled in the Swiss village of Schwanden, the Finkel Bow Workshop stands as one of the most respected names in modern bow making. With roots reaching back to 19th-century Germany, the workshop embodies five generations of refined craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation—serving musicians across the globe. Origins in Markneukirchen The story begins in Markneukirchen, Germany, a …
The Finkel Workshop: A Five-Generation Legacy in Fine Bow Making Read More »
Ferdinando Garimberti was a renowned Italian luthier recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and significant contributions to 20th-century violin making. Born on January 6, 1894, in Mamiano di Traversetolo, Parma, he moved with his family to Milan in 1902. Initially working as a carpenter and blacksmith, he developed an interest in violin making around 1910, after …
Ferdinando Garimberti (1894–1982): A Master of the Milanese Violin Making Tradition Read More »
Giuseppe Castagnino was an Italian luthier recognized for his distinctive craftsmanship and significant contributions to the Genoese school of violin making in the early to mid-20th century. Born in Chiavari in 1883, he was introduced to woodworking through his father, a carpenter and cooper who also crafted musical instruments as a hobby. This early exposure …
Giuseppe Castagnino (1883–1966): A Master of the Genoa Violin Making Tradition Read More »
Leandro Bisiach was a distinguished Italian luthier who played a key role in the revival of Italian violin making in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on June 16, 1864, in Casale Monferrato, Italy, he initially trained as a violinist before turning to instrument making. His first violin, crafted independently, received great praise, …
Leandro Bisiach (1864–1945): Master Luthier and Leader of the Milanese Violin Revival Read More »
Giuseppe Fiorini was an Italian luthier renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and pivotal role in reviving Italian violin making. Born in Bazzano, Emilia-Romagna, he trained under his father, Raffaele Fiorini, and crafted his first violin at 16. Establishing his workshop in Bologna in 1877, he gained international recognition, earning top awards at exhibitions. In 1888, …
Giuseppe Fiorini (1861–1934): Master Luthier and Guardian of Stradivari’s Legacy Read More »
Riccardo Antoniazzi was a distinguished Italian luthier who played a pivotal role in the transition of violin making from Cremona to Milan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on December 19, 1853, in Cremona, he was the eldest son of Gaetano Antoniazzi, a respected violin maker trained under Enrico Ceruti. Growing up …
Riccardo Antoniazzi (1853–1912): A Founding Figure of Modern Milanese Violin Making Read More »
Erminio Farina (1885–1917) was a distinguished Italian luthier associated with the Milanese school of violin making in the early 20th century. He developed his craft under the guidance of Riccardo Antoniazzi while working for the firm of Monzino and Sons in Milan. His skill and dedication led him to become Antoniazzi’s close assistant, particularly as …
Erminio Farina (1885–1917): A Milanese Master Violin Maker Read More »
Mario Capicchioni was an Italian luthier known for continuing the violin-making tradition established by his father, Marino Capicchioni. Born in 1926 in San Marino, he grew up surrounded by the craft and began working alongside his father in their Rimini workshop in the 1940s. Under Marino’s guidance, he developed a deep understanding of the art, …
