We are traveling with close friends, violin and fiddle players and want to surprise them with a stop in Cremona. Any recommendations contacts in that city would be appreciated. We will be heading to Vernazza after touring Cremona and want to maximize our time in this city we have never been to.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1759 posts
There are a lot of violin makers but I do not feel advising for any one of them. But your friends could visit the Scaramuzza music shop (www.scaramuzzastrumentimusicali.com) that sells accessories for players. For example, their custom made violin cases are to die for, some of the lighter and sturdier I have ever seen.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you for that wonderful advice. We arrived at the Violin museum in time to hear a cellist playing through an open window of a restorer’s workshop (rare treat as he was experiencing the completion of his instrument. Onward for a refreshing coffee and an excellent apricot tart in the museum’s upscale restaurant. The museum was an inspiring and moving experience with many highlights the most memorable for me the opportunity to see a Stradivari violin designed and crafted in 1650 something to savor and the many instruments on loan were beautiful to behold.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1759 posts
Are you going to Florence also? A usually forgotten feature of Accademia museum is the music instruments collection, including a large size tenor viola by Stradivari. The instrument is so large that it was never extensively played, so it is left exactly in the state as Stradivari completed it. Almost all 18th century string instruments were adapted or rebuilt in 19th century, but not this one.
The violin maker that first took care of it at the beginning of 20th century realized he was the first one to work on the instrument after Stradivari himself.