Meet the makers
GIUSEPPE LORENZO QUAGLIANO
Truly dedicated to his work, maestro Giuseppe Lorenze Quagliano builds refined violins, violas and cellos. With great attention to detail he creates both modern pieces and faithful reproductions of historical instruments.
His work is defined by the use of carefully selected wood, that is treated with respect and a particular eye for beauty. The varnishes he uses are both oil and alcohol based.
Maestro Quagliano developed his style of working through studying at the violin making school in Gubbio, where he graduated under the guidance of Maestros G.Spataffi and F. Balbo in 1997. Subsequently he attended the Newark School of Violin making to broaden his skills in construction and restoration techniques.
He now continues to share his knowledge through teaching the art of violin making at the School Workshop in Jesi, where he builds on the revival and spreading of the cultural heritage of the city of Jesi and the Marche region.
Alessandro Ciciliati
Alessandro Ciciliati was born in Ferrara in 1959.
After his passion leading him into studying and working as a recognized musician and conductor in Ferrara, his encounter with famous Maestro Ivano Coratti lead him to diligently study construction and restoration techniques of string instruments for four years under Coratti’s wings.
Ciciliati continued on to compete and win international competitions, he participated in international exhibitions in, amongst other places, Cremona, Tokyo, Paris and Frankfurt and between 2005 and 2009 he collaborated with Violin Expo Cologne (now Casa Stradivari). This lead to him being recognized as one of the most appreciated luthiers in the world today.
His instruments set themselves apart by both their style and sound, making them sought after instruments for both musicians and collectors.
Ciciliati works with a fine selection of woods and his style is characterized by roundness and a continuous succession of curves and counter-curves, an expression of softness and plasticity, inspired by the ancient heritage of Ettore Soffritti.
However, to accommodate the needs of modern musicians, he developed a method that creates a robust and powerful sound, equally sweet and strong, with a beautiful range of harmonics that allows for a great projection in concert halls.
He currently lives and works in his country house in Ferrara where he dedicates his time exclusively to his faith in Christianity and the construction of new string instruments.
CARLO CHIESA
A true master of his trade, Carlo Chiesa has created an impressive oeuvre of violins, violas and cellos. His rich amount of knowledge and experience resonates in his work, that includes new instruments, as well as the restoration of historical instruments. First class soloists and performers keep finding him for his personal approach and ability to bring out the true voice of an instrument.
Chiesa has truly done justice to his reputation. Throughout his carrier he conducted extensive historical research on old makers in Northern Italy and developed a deep knowledge of ancient instruments.
Having inspired many fellow violin makers and students all around the world, he is a beloved speaker and writer. He is the co-author of ‘Guarneri del Gesù’ and ‘The Stradivari Legacy’ and published a vast amount of essays and articles in a highly acclaimed books, catalogues, journals and magazines, such as The Strad and VSA Journal, the New Grove’s Dictionary of Violin and Violinists and Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.
His strenuous efforts for the community led to fruitful collaborations with prominent institutions, including Museo del Violins of Cremona, Ashmolean Museum of Oxford, Royal Academy of Music of London and La Sapienze University of Rome and he is a frequently asked curator for exhibitions and catalogues worldwide.
He was honored to be a jury member at the International Competition of the Violin Society of America in Indianapolis in 2014 and recently, in 2021, at the International Violin Making Competition in Cremona.
LUCA BARATTO
Leading up to becoming the acclaimed violin, viola en cello maker he is, maestro Luca Baratto traded the famous Italian Prosecco Hills of Valdobbiadene for the vibrant capital of violin making, Cremona, to master the art of lutherie.
He started his journey at the prestigious A.Stradivari school for violin making, of which he graduated in 2006, and continued to enrich and refine his mastery.
He proved his talent by obtaining a study and work place at the workshop of the highly acclaimed, world renowned Carlson & Neumann, under who’s guidance he ripened his skills in both the construction of new instruments and the conservation and restoration of historical instruments.
Having become a master of the trade himself, he proudly opened his own violin making workshop in 2013 together with luthier en bow maker Tetsu Suzuki and became a member of the Consorzio Liutai e Archettai “A.Stradivari” of Cremona.
He was appraised for his work by receiving the Special Mention for a viola he made with Master Klaus Berntsen in the Pisogne Contest and an Honourable Mention at the XIII edition of the Concorso Triennale degli Strumenti ad Arco “Antonio Stradivari”.
His passion for sharing knowledge led him to becoming a professor in various prestigious schools for violin making and in 2017 he decided to broaden his own studies by embarking on a Master’s Degree Course in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.
JACQUES POULLOT
French bow maker Jacques Poullot’s remarkable journey started with a passion for music, inherited from his father.
After studying piano, violin and trombone at the conservatory, he was selected to study at the National Violin Making School of Mirecourt in 1976 in the class of bow making under the direction of Bernard Ouchard, who had been bow maker of the Vidoudez house in Geneva for 20 years.
After becoming a certified archetier in 1979 he continued to develop his mastery in the workshop of luthier Albert Claudot, carrier of the title of ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’.
Four years later he successfully ran his own workshop in Dijon, while doing numerous internships with respected colleagues.
However, his heart was won by the city of Bari in Italy. In 2011 he made the leap and moved to the region that gave him the calmness and beauty he needed to lift his work to a new level; he dedicates his time to the production of a beautiful range of bows that are requested from all over the world and since 2021 he has the honor of being an appointed expert witness for the Dijon court of appeal.
EMILIO SLAVIERO
“I don’t recall the first time I heard the sound of a violin, but I do remember that, at the age of twelve at a friend’s house, I listened to Tchaikovsky’s entire concerto for violin and orchestra: love at first sound.
The notes floating in the air would then soon meet my passion for drawing and sculpture. It was, once again, thanks to a friend and to my competitive spirit, that in 1980 I decided to enroll in bow-making school: that friend, whom I met in front of the school, was holding a bow made with his own hands…my thought was immediate and determined: I had to do like him!
I was then able, at school, to reconcile design, sculpture, music and stylistic freedom. With J. F. Raffin I approached the study of ancient bows, learning the secrets and reinterpreting them.
The world capital of bow making is certainly Paris, but staying in Cremona was a mission: home of Amati, Guarneri and Stradivari, it really deserved the cultural “transplant” or “implant” of bow making.
My “bow family” was born with a deep bond; with Antonietta, a bowmaker herself, the teamwork was easy: the same set of skills, the division of tasks and the sharing of choices are the secrets that have made our work successful, accompanying our Atelier towards ever new and prestigious goals and giving it an international touch.
In more recent times, our son Luca has joined us, freely deciding to continue the family business, immediately demonstrating his ability and personality.”
LUCA SLAVIERO
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