Nicolo Amati, whose biography is presented in this article, was born in Cremona. He was an outstanding, one of the best in the world, violin master. His tools are still very much appreciated. Nicolo had many students.
Dynasty founder
Nicolo Amati was the most famous representative of the legendary dynasty of violin masters, the founder of which was 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 bowed instruments. They are developers of their own technologies. Violins of the modern type were invented by this particular dynasty. Nicolo improved the instruments made by his ancestors: he gave them a new look and made the sound more beautiful.
Nicolo
As mentioned above, the violin was made more perfect by Nicolo Amati. The instruments that he created acquired a strong and bright voice, their sound became more flightable, while remaining gentle and beautiful.
He increased the size of the violin, made it more elegant and thin at the waist. 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 masters. Among the free students who served as apprentices, he included the son of a genius - Girolamo. Many masters who subsequently founded their dynasties and opened their own schools, studied with N. Amati. Among them were A. Stradivari with A. Guarneri.
The most famous Italian students
The best violin master in the world, Anthony Stradivari, is a student of Nicolo Amati. The exact date of his birth is not known to historians and musicologists.
Most of his tools have survived to this day in excellent working condition. The owners of violins, cello, violas and guitars of this master are only world-famous virtuosos and collectors. Today, about seven hundred and twenty instruments of A. Stradivarius are recited, among them there is even one harp.
Antonio, having completed his studies, opened his workshop. Antonio perfected the violins that N. Amati created and excelled his teacher in mastery. Until now, A. Stradivari’s instruments are considered the best. What is the secret of the amazing sound of his violins is still unknown.
Another famous student of Nicolo Amati is Andrea Guarneri. He subsequently founded his dynasty of violin masters. His work was continued by 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
Nicolo Amati taught not only Italians. He had students from other countries. The most famous of them is Jacob Steiner from Tirol. Nothing is known about his background and parents. This person is rather mysterious, in her biography there are many gaps and secrets that have not been solved so far. There is no mention of his birth in church books.
After training with N. Amati, Jacob opened his workshop in his homeland. Very quickly he achieved fame. During the life of J. Steiner, there was a period when his violins were valued in Europe more than the masterpieces of A. Stradivarius. This was the case until the 18th century.
His tools met all the requirements of that time. They were chamber. J. Steiner lost the leading position to A. Stradivari and other masters from Cremona, when new demands were made on the violins, there was a need for their sound to be suitable for performances in large halls with a considerable number of listeners. Today, experts believe that the tools of both of these masters are equivalent, they are not inferior to each other in sound quality, they deserve to be called the best.
Jacob Steiner purchased wood and all the necessary materials for the manufacture of his tools in Venice. The violin of this master was distinguished by a steeper arch and skillfully carved heads of lions on the neck. His instruments had a special sound - their voices were more tender, subtle, piercing and sonorous than those of Italian masters. Jacob Steiner is considered the father of German violin.