Augusto Pollastri
Encyclopedia
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
violin maker, older brother to Gaetano Pollastri
Gaetano Pollastri
-Biography:Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano, Augusto's younger brother,was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and commerce of string...
.
Started his career as an apprentice in Raffaele Fiorini
Raffaele Fiorini
Raffaele Fiorini , was an influential Italian violin maker.Innovator. personality and pioneer of the great rebirth of contemporary Bolognese violinmaking, Fiorini was born at Musiano di Pian di Macina di Pianoro near Bologna.He spent his first youth in Bazzano where he learned the first elements of...
's studio. Augusto's father was a miller and an amateur musician. Augusto was exposed to music early on, he also enjoyed visiting the shop of a famous violin maker Raffaele Fiorini
Raffaele Fiorini
Raffaele Fiorini , was an influential Italian violin maker.Innovator. personality and pioneer of the great rebirth of contemporary Bolognese violinmaking, Fiorini was born at Musiano di Pian di Macina di Pianoro near Bologna.He spent his first youth in Bazzano where he learned the first elements of...
, where he started to perform small services in the shop, which led to an apprenticeship with maestro Fiorini.
By the age of 20, Augusto had devoted himself entirely to the activity which had inspired him (violin making), showing remarkable artistic gifts. Towards the end of Raffaele Fiorini's life, Augusto took over the workshop.
He quickly became famous as maker and restorer.
By 1927 (the year of his death), Augusto obtained official recognition in his art:
the Cross of Merit and Gold Medals at the Geneva Exhibition and the United Exhibitions of the "Littriale' in Bologna".
For thirty years Augusto Pollastri managed one of the most important luthier's Atelier in Bologna. After the passing of Raffaele Fiorini, his brother Gaetano Pollastri
Gaetano Pollastri
-Biography:Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano, Augusto's younger brother,was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and commerce of string...
joined him.
Augusto's production was of an astounding quality and class, but unfortunately not very high in numbers.
Today, Pollastri's instruments are considered legendary and most copied in the world aside from the Classics (Stradivari, Guarnerius etc.).
"In fact the number of fake instruments and imitations one could come across is much greater than the number of originals. "
His students include his brother Gaetano Pollastri
Gaetano Pollastri
-Biography:Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano, Augusto's younger brother,was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and commerce of string...
and Marco Dobresovitch.
External links
- Pollastri violin
- Il Suono Di Bologna Details at www.florenusedizioni.com
- Nuova pagina 6 at www.artigianatoartistico.it
- ::: Alberto Giordano&C. - Fine violins, violas and cellos in Genoa ::: at www.giordanoviolins.com
Living Museum
Discover the history of the Bolognese School Bolognese Violin Makers'Up to the first half of the nineteenth century, Violin Making in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
was in a standstill cycle; yet, during the second half of the century, Raffaele Fiorini :it:Fiorini Raffaele gave new impulse to it.
Thanks to him, born in Musiano di Pianoro, the luthier's ancient Art was brought back to a new life.' - History