Principles of Strings
Richard Colwell, Michael Hewitt · 2015
By the sixteenth century, instruments resembling the modern violin, viola, cello, and bass were widespread in Europe. The Italian instrument makers of Brescia and Cremona, German artist-craftsmen in Mittenwald, and makers in France (who became better known for bows) remain legendary. During the attempt to perfect string instruments, the Brescia group flourished for about two centuries but was overshadowed by the astonishing perfection of the Cremona instruments. Among the string instrument makers of Cremona were Amati, Guadagnini, Ruggieri, Guarneri, and Stradivari. Although it is usually assumed that each of these famous violin makers also crafted violas, cellos, and basses, it is primarily the violins that have survived.