Raffaele Fiorini
Encyclopedia
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 the craft when he was still working with his father at the 'Mulino della Sega'.
A famous violin player and teacher, professor Verardi, induced him to start the 'Bolognese adventure' and persuaded him to open a workshop in the fascinating surroundings of Palazzo Pepoli, not far from the Liceo Musicale, in Bologna downtown.
Fiorini in a short time was able to achieve a certain reputation in his new environment and was able to attract a big number of apprentices of great talent, including his son Giuseppe
.
Raffaele won a silver medal with praise during the International Music Exhibit of Arezzo in 1882, and a silver medal during the Torino Exhibition in 1884; he received also great consensus and praises for his restoration work.
Thanks to him, born in Musiano di Pianoro,the luthier's ancient Art was brought back to a new life.
He took by himself several apprentices who, in their turn, continued his tradition with good success during the following century. One can say that today any Bolognese luthier has his roots in this school.
Here is a short note about them, the masters who were undoubtedly among the best bowed instrument makers of the 20th century in Italy:
Augusto Pollastri
, first of this renowned luthier family, started his career as an apprentice in Raffaele Fiorini's studio. Augusto showed a remarkable artistic gift and took the firm responsibility upon himself when Raffaele, at the and of his life, could not manage the workshop. After Raffaele Fiorini's death Augusto Pollastri managed one of the most important luthier's Atelier in Bologna for thirty years, helped also by his brother Gaetano
. Augusto's total production was not very high in number, yet it was of an astounding quality and class. Pollastri's instruments are today considered legendary and the model developed by him is one on the most copied in the world, besides the classical ones. In fact the number of fake instruments and imitations one could come across is much greater than the number of originals.
Gaetano
, Augusto's brother, continued after his death, reaching very good results too.
Brothers Candi ( Oreste
& Cesare) worked in Genoa, yet they are considered Raffaele Fiorini's pupils in all respects; above all, Cesare
who gained a distinguished international fame not only in bowed instrument making but also in plucked instruments, refined inlaying and carving.
Armando Monterumici was another Bolognese artist who apprenticed in the same workshop during the last years of the 19th century and who deserves to be known better; in fact his production is today quite rare to find.
Giuseppe
, son of Raffaele, quickly achieved a solid reputation and today he is certainly considered one of the most important Italian violin makers.
Cremona too should be grateful to this scholar who, after forty years of essays, bought the rest of Stradivari's workshop (shapes, tools, original drawings, models) and donated them upon the city, in order to form a lutherie school which could bring again Italy at the top of the bowed instrument making world.
Ansaldo Poggi
was Giuseppe Fiorini's favourite pupil. His instruments are among the most sought-after and expensive instruments today on the market. Certainly this is also due to the school he had with Fiorini, to which Poggi, when alive, has always been proud to have been part of.
Last but not least, Otello Bignami
, teacher of the greatest part of the professional luthiers now living and working in Bologna; his memory is still very vivid among them who knew him.
'Up to the first half of the nineteenth century, Violin Making in Italy
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
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
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
.
He spent his first youth in Bazzano where he learned the first elements of the craft when he was still working with his father at the 'Mulino della Sega'.
A famous violin player and teacher, professor Verardi, induced him to start the 'Bolognese adventure' and persuaded him to open a workshop in the fascinating surroundings of Palazzo Pepoli, not far from the Liceo Musicale, in Bologna downtown.
Fiorini in a short time was able to achieve a certain reputation in his new environment and was able to attract a big number of apprentices of great talent, including his son Giuseppe
Giuseppe Fiorini
Giuseppe Fiorini was an Italian musical instrument maker.- Biography :Fiorini was born at Bazzano, Emilia-Romagna, the son and pupil of Raffaele :it:Fiorini Raffaele. Having inherited his parents' cultivated propensities in arts and sciences, he built his first instrument at the age of 16...
.
Raffaele won a silver medal with praise during the International Music Exhibit of Arezzo in 1882, and a silver medal during the Torino Exhibition in 1884; he received also great consensus and praises for his restoration work.
Biography
Up to the first half of the nineteenth century, Violin Making in Italy was in a standstill cycle; yet, during the second half of the century, Raffaele Fiorini 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.
He took by himself several apprentices who, in their turn, continued his tradition with good success during the following century. One can say that today any Bolognese luthier has his roots in this school.
Here is a short note about them, the masters who were undoubtedly among the best bowed instrument makers of the 20th century in Italy:
Augusto Pollastri
Augusto Pollastri
Augusto Pollastri - was a renowned Italian violin maker, older brother to Gaetano Pollastri....
, first of this renowned luthier family, started his career as an apprentice in Raffaele Fiorini's studio. Augusto showed a remarkable artistic gift and took the firm responsibility upon himself when Raffaele, at the and of his life, could not manage the workshop. After Raffaele Fiorini's death Augusto Pollastri managed one of the most important luthier's Atelier in Bologna for thirty years, helped also by his brother Gaetano
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...
. Augusto's total production was not very high in number, yet it was of an astounding quality and class. Pollastri's instruments are today considered legendary and the model developed by him is one on the most copied in the world, besides the classical ones. In fact the number of fake instruments and imitations one could come across is much greater than the number of originals.
Gaetano
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...
, Augusto's brother, continued after his death, reaching very good results too.
Brothers Candi ( Oreste
Oreste Candi
Oreste Candi was an Italian luthier.Candi was born in Minerbio near Bologna. He was the older brother of Cesare Candi, and was the first of the two brothers to apprentice under Raffaele Fiorini . He later moved to work in Genoa.In 1886 he was already an employee of the Barberis brothers...
& Cesare) worked in Genoa, yet they are considered Raffaele Fiorini's pupils in all respects; above all, Cesare
Cesare Candi
Candi, Cesare - .Italian maker of violins, mandolins, guitars and other string instruments. In 1884, after his father's death, he went to work with his brother Oreste Candi at the workshop of Raffaele Fiorini in Bologna...
who gained a distinguished international fame not only in bowed instrument making but also in plucked instruments, refined inlaying and carving.
Armando Monterumici was another Bolognese artist who apprenticed in the same workshop during the last years of the 19th century and who deserves to be known better; in fact his production is today quite rare to find.
Giuseppe
Giuseppe Fiorini
Giuseppe Fiorini was an Italian musical instrument maker.- Biography :Fiorini was born at Bazzano, Emilia-Romagna, the son and pupil of Raffaele :it:Fiorini Raffaele. Having inherited his parents' cultivated propensities in arts and sciences, he built his first instrument at the age of 16...
, son of Raffaele, quickly achieved a solid reputation and today he is certainly considered one of the most important Italian violin makers.
Cremona too should be grateful to this scholar who, after forty years of essays, bought the rest of Stradivari's workshop (shapes, tools, original drawings, models) and donated them upon the city, in order to form a lutherie school which could bring again Italy at the top of the bowed instrument making world.
Ansaldo Poggi
Ansaldo Poggi
Ansaldo Poggi was born in Villafontana di Medicina , 9 June 1893 and died in Bologna, 4 September 1984.He demonstrated his talent for the making of stringed instruments at a young age...
was Giuseppe Fiorini's favourite pupil. His instruments are among the most sought-after and expensive instruments today on the market. Certainly this is also due to the school he had with Fiorini, to which Poggi, when alive, has always been proud to have been part of.
Last but not least, Otello Bignami
Otello Bignami
-Biography:Otello Bignami - born in Bologna, Italy on August 6, 1914 and died in Bologna on December 1, 1989.The life of Otello Bignami closely resembles the lives of various 19th century violin makers in that he drew much vitality from the farming and craft traditions of his origins...
, teacher of the greatest part of the professional luthiers now living and working in Bologna; his memory is still very vivid among them who knew him.
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