THE AMATI FAMILY 🎻 LA FAMILIA AMATI 🎻

by Pier Paolo Maccarrone cellist

Amati is the last name of a family of Italian violin makers who lived at Cremona from about 1538 to 1740. Their importance is considered equal to those of the Bergonzi, Guarneri, and Stradivari families. Today, violins created by Nicolò Amati are valued at around $ 600,000.Because of their age and rarity, Amati instruments are mostly kept in museum or private collections and are seldom played in public.

Following a link to an interesting documentary about an Amati cello.

Andrea Amati

Andrea Amati (c. 1505 – December 20,1577) designed and created the violin, viola and cello known as the “violin family”. He standardized the basic form, shape, size, materials and method of construction. Makers from nearby Bresciaexperimented, such as Gasparo da Salò, Micheli, Zanetto and Pellegrino, but it was Andrea Amati in Cremona, Italy, who gave the modern violin family their definitive profile.

The first violin was ordered by Lorenzo de ‘Mediciin 1555. His letter to Amati stated the instrument was to be “made of the highest quality materials like that of a lute, but simple to play”. What became of this first violin is not known. A number of his instruments survived for some time, dating between 1538 (Amati made the first Cello called “The King” in 1538 [1] [clarification needed]) and 1574. The largest number these are from 1560, a set for an entire orchestra of 38 ordered by Catherine de Médicis the regent queen of France and bore hand painted royal French decorations in gold including the motto and coat of arms of her son Charles IX of France. Of these 38 instruments ordered, Amati created violins of two sizes, violas of two sizes and large-sized cells. They were in use until the French revolution of 1789 and only 14 of these instruments survived. His work is marked by selection of the finest materials, great elegance in execution, soft clear amber, soft translucent varnish, and an in depth use of acoustic and geometrical principles in design.

Violino (1559 circa), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Antonio and Girolamo Amati

Andrea Amati was succeeded by his sons Antonio Amati (c. 1537–1607) and Girolamo Amati (c. 1551–1630). “The Brothers Amati”, as they were known, implemented far-reaching innovations in design, including the perfection of the shape of the f-holes. They are also thought to have pioneered the modern high format of viola, in contrast to older tenor violas, but the widespread belief that they were the first ones to do so is incorrect given that Gasparo da Salo made violas ranging from altos of 39 cm to tenors of 44.7 cm.

Nicolo Amati

Main article: Nicolò Amati

Nicolò Amati (December 3, 1596 – April 12, 1684) was the son of Girolamo Amati. He was the most eminent of the family. He improved the model adopted by the rest of the Amatis and produced instruments capable of yielding greater power of tone. [3] His pattern was unusually small, but he also made a wider model now known as the “Grand Amati”, which have become his most sought-after violins.

Of his pupils, the most famous were Antonio Stradivari and Andrea Guarneri, [3] the first of the Guarneri family of violin makers. (There is much controversy regarding the apprenticeship of Antonio Stradivari. While the label on Stradivari’s first known violin states that he was a pupil of Amati, the validity of his statement is questioned.)

Girolamo Amati (Hieronymus II)

The last maker of the family was Nicolò’s son, Girolamo Amati, known as Hieronymus II (February 26, 1649 – February 21, 1740). He improved the arching of his father’s instruments.

Extant Amati instruments

United Kingdom

Instruments in the UK includes Andrea Amati violins from the set delivered to Charles IX of France in 1564.

Amati instruments at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Andrea Amati

Violin, 1564 (ex – French royal collection)

Viola

Amati instruments at the Royal Academy of Music Museum, London

Amati instrument at the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle

Andrea Amati

Violin, 1564 (ex French royal collection)

United States

This violin, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, may have been part of a set made for the marriage of Philip II of Spain to Elisabeth of Valois in 1559, which would make it one of the earliest known violins in existence.

Amati instruments at the National Music Museum (University of South Dakota):

Andrea Amati:

“The King”, circa 1545, the world’s oldest extant cello

Viola, 1560 Violin, 1560 Violin, 1574

Girolamo Amati:

Small violin, 1613 Double bass, 1680 Violin, 1604 Violin, 7/8-size, 1609

Nicolò Amati:

Violin, 1628

Amati instruments at the (New York) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Andrea Amati:

Violin, c. 1560

Nicolò Amati:

Violin, 1669

LA FAMILIA AMATI 🎻

Amati (/ əˈmɑːti /, italiano: [aˈmaːti]) es el apellido de una familia de fabricantes de violines italianos que vivieron en Cremona entre 1538 y 1740. Su importancia se considera igual a la de las familias Bergonzi, Guarneri y Stradivari. Hoy en día, los violines creados por Nicolò Amati están valorados en alrededor de $ 600,000. Debido a su edad y rareza, los instrumentos Amati se guardan principalmente en museos o colecciones privadas y rara vez se tocan en público.

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Andrea Amati

Andrea Amati (c. 1505 – 20 de diciembre de 1777) diseñó y creó el violín, la viola y el violonchelo conocidos como la “familia del violín”. Estandarizó la forma básica, la forma, el tamaño, los materiales y el método de construcción. Los fabricantes de la cercana Brescia experimentaron, como Gasparo da Salò, Micheli, Zanetto y Pellegrino, pero fue Andrea Amati en Cremona, Italia, quien le dio a la familia moderna de violines su perfil definitivo.

El primer violín fue ordenado por Lorenzo de ‘Mediciin 1555. Su carta a Amati decía que el instrumento debía estar “hecho de materiales de la más alta calidad como el laúd, pero fácil de tocar”. No se sabe qué fue de este primer violín. Varios de sus instrumentos sobrevivieron durante algún tiempo, datando entre 1538 (Amati hizo el primer violonchelo llamado “El Rey” en 1538 [1] [se necesita aclaración]) y 1574. El mayor número es de 1560, un conjunto para todo un Orquesta de 38, ordenada por Catalina de Médicis, la reina regente de Francia, y tenía decoraciones francesas reales pintadas a mano en oro, incluido el lema y el escudo de armas de su hijo Carlos IX de Francia. De estos 38 instrumentos ordenados, Amati creó violines de dos tamaños, violas de dos tamaños y celdas de gran tamaño. Estuvieron en uso hasta la revolución francesa de 1789 y solo 14 de estos instrumentos sobrevivieron. Su trabajo está marcado por la selección de los mejores materiales, gran elegancia en la ejecución, ámbar suave y claro, barniz translúcido suave y un uso profundo de los principios acústicos y geométricos en el diseño.

Antonio y Girolamo Amati

Andrea Amati fue sucedido por sus hijos Antonio Amati (c. 1537–1607) y Girolamo Amati (c. 1551–1630). “The Brothers Amati”, como se les conocía, implementó innovaciones de gran alcance en el diseño, incluida la perfección de la forma de los agujeros f. También se cree que fueron pioneros en el alto formato moderno de viola, en contraste con las violas tenor más antiguas, pero la creencia generalizada de que fueron las primeras en hacerlo es incorrecta dado que Gasparo da Salo hizo violas que van desde altos de 39 cm hasta tenores de 44,7 cm.

Nicolo Amati

Nicolò Amati (3 de diciembre de 1596 – 12 de abril de 1684) era hijo de Girolamo Amati. Era el más eminente de la familia. Él mejoró el modelo adoptado por el resto de los Amatis y produjo instrumentos capaces de producir una mayor potencia de tono. Su patrón era inusualmente pequeño, pero también hizo un modelo más amplio ahora conocido como el “Grand Amati”, que se han convertido en sus violines más buscados.

De sus alumnos, los más famosos fueron Antonio Stradivari y Andrea Guarneri, [3] el primero de la familia Guarneri de violinistas. (Existe mucha controversia con respecto al aprendizaje de Antonio Stradivari. Si bien la etiqueta del primer violín conocido de Stradivari afirma que fue alumno de Amati, se cuestiona la validez de su declaración).

Girolamo Amati (Hieronymus II)

El último creador de la familia fue el hijo de Nicolò, Girolamo Amati, conocido como Hieronymus II (26 de febrero de 1649 – 21 de febrero de 1740). Mejoró el arqueado de los instrumentos de su padre.

Instrumentos Amati existentes

Reino Unido

Instrumentos en el Reino Unido incluye violines Andrea Amati del conjunto entregado a Carlos IX de Francia en 1564.

Instrumentos Amati en el Museo Ashmolean, Oxford.
Andrea Amati

Violín, 1564 (ex – colección real francesa)

Viola

Instrumentos Amati en la Royal Academy of Music Museum, Londres

Instrumento Amati en la Casa Museo y Galería de Arte Tullie, Carlisle

Andrea Amati

Violín, 1564 (ex colección real francesa)

Estados Unidos

Este violín, ahora en el Museo Metropolitano de Arte, puede haber sido parte de un conjunto hecho para el matrimonio de Felipe II de España con Isabel de Valois en 1559, lo que lo convertiría en uno de los primeros violines conocidos que existen.

Instrumentos Amati en el Museo Nacional de Música (Universidad de Dakota del Sur):

Andrea Amati:

“El Rey”, hacia 1545, el violoncelo existente más antiguo del mundo.

Viola, 1560

Violín, 1560

Violín, 1574

Girolamo Amati:

Contrabajo, 1680

Violín, 1604

Violín, tamaño 7/8, 1609

Pequeño violín, 1613

Nicolò Amati:

Violín, 1628

Instrumentos Amati en el Museo Metropolitano de Arte (Nueva York)

Andrea Amati:

Violín, c. 1560

Nicolò Amati:

Violín, 1669

My Life

PIER PAOLO MACCARRONE born in Catania in 1978 undertook the study of the cello at the age of 10 under the guidance of maestro Alfredo Borzì. He then continued his musical studies at the V. Bellini Music Institute in Catania with the teachers Giuseppe Rizzari, Paolo Ognissanti and for a long time with the teacher Benedetto Munzone under whose guidance he graduated. Later he perfected himself at the Hipponiana Academy of Reggio Calabria with the masters Arturo Bonucci, Claudio Marini, Demetrio Comuzzi and Luca Signorini and at the Music Academy of Santa Cecilia with the maestro Francesco Strano. Also in November 2004 he graduated in Pharmacy with specialization in phytotherapy at the University of Catania. In March 2007 he graduated in Music Disciplines from the V. Bellini Music Institute in Catania. In June 2010 he graduated with a II level qualification to teach the cello in secondary schools. In July 2010, to study the conducting in greater depth, he attended a master class held by the illustrious maestro Daniele Belardinelli. In October 2010, under the guidance of maestro Antonio Mosca, he obtained the qualification for teaching cello with the Suzuki method in Turin at the Italian Suzuki Institute. In recent years he has deepened the study of the execution practice on ancient instruments and at the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory in Palermo he achieved the II level Degree in Baroque Cello and Basso Continuo at the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory in Palermo and in 2017 under the guidance of the maestro Cristiano Contadin the first level Degree in Viola da gamba. He attended the Music Interpretation Course held by the famous conductor Francisco Navarro Lara and the Conducting course held by him in the “Escuela de Dirección de Orchestra y Banda” of Huelva in Spain endorsed by ABRSM (Royal College of Music of London) and in August 2019 he obtained the Advanced Diploma. In December 2022 he took the exams to obtain LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal School) in Orchestral Conducting from the Royal College of Music in London. He also attended masterclasses of Cello and Chamber Music with the teachers: A. Niculescu, M. Kougel, V. Taddeo, A. Meunier, S. Laffranchini, E. O. Hutter, R. Bovino and W. Ranck, M. Flaksman , M. Chen, L. Toten, A. Lefevbre, V. Pavlov, E. Bronzi, R. Filippini, B. Canino, S. Girscenko. Winner in numerous national and international competitions such as: Magma di Gravina of Catania, “Alfio Pulvirenti” from Comiso, “P. Mandanici “City of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (Messina)” Luigi Denza “of Castellammare di Stabia, Campobello di Licata (Agrigento), City of Palmi (Reggio Calabria), Competition” B. Albanese ”City of Caccamo (Palermo). Awarded in the following music competitions: FIDAPA SICILY “Young Talents”, “Dino Carovita” of Fusignano (Ravenna), Young Musicians “Napolinova”, “City of Palermo”, “B. Albanese ” in Caccamo, Promenade of Vibo Valenzia, City of Massafra (Taranto), TuttArte of Catania, City of Sol of Portopalo di Capopassero, National Music Competition Amygdala – Giuseppe Raciti Prize of Viagrande (Catania), International Music Competition” Lucio Stefano D’Agata ” of Acireale (Catania), National Music Competition “Salvatore Gioia” of Villarosa (Enna). Having supported the selections at the RAI TV Studios in Naples, he was eligible for auditions for the Italian Youth Orchestra of Fiesole for the academic year 2002-2003. He has performed in numerous concerts as a soloist and in orchestral training in numerous Italian and foreign cities such as: Catania, Syracuse, Ragusa, Palermo, Enna, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Messina, Sorrento, Reggio Calabria, Naples, Macerata, Camerino, Perugia, Turin, Lucca, Florence, Cividale del Friuli, Rome, Graz, Nancy, Huelva, Palos with famous soloists such as: G. Sobrino, L. Degani, S. Zorza, P. Berman, S. Pagliani, C Marini, J. Lee, B. Giraud, A. Niculescu, E. Ligresti, D. Comuzzi, D. Schillaci, L. Aliberti, S. Piazzola, L. Lanzarini, K. Ricciarelli, M. Giordani, S. Girscenko , C. Gigli, M. Drapello, D. Russo, G. Di Stefano, D. Sinkosky, Luis Santana, Montserrat M. Caballè. He has collaborated with renowned directors R. Muti, C. Rizzari, T. Bugaj, M. Brousseau, O. Pulin, S. Ranzani, D. Soga, C. Volpini, G. Latil, W. Themel, G. Meditz , C. Patanè, G. Bufalini, M. Incarbone, A. Florio, Montserrat De La Cruz, C. Cavero Garcia, G. Estrada, J. Rodriguez, M. Baghboudurian, Juan Carlos Dos Santos, Leandro Botto Schuhmacher, F. Navarro Lara, Elisabetta Maschio. He has published books for publishing houses: Simple from Macerata, BookSprint from Salerno. In recent years he has achieved some qualifications for teaching Cello, Theory, Rhythm and Musical Perceptions and Ensemble Music for Bowed Instruments in the Music Conservatories of Palermo, Vibo Valentia, Reggio Calabria, Trento, Avellino, Trapani, Cesena, Lucca, Cagliari, Verona, Vicenza at the Pareggiato Musical Institute of Ancona, at the G. Paisiello Pareggiato Musical Institute of Taranto, at the “Rinaldo Franci” Higher Institute of Musical Studies of Siena, at the Riccardo Zandonai Civic School of Rovereto (Trento) , At the G. Verdi Civic School of Music in Prato (Firenze), at the Musical Institute Città di Noto, at the Regina Margherita Music High School of Palermo and at the “Dante Alighieri” Musical High School of Enna.

He plays on a 1985 cello of the Stöhr Baieridori-Igelidori of Zurich, Stradivari model, on a 1994 cello by Luthier Claudio Giurba, Guarneri del Gesù model, and on a French low-leg viola model Jaye of Luthier Nicola Vendrame of 2008. He has been associated with S.I.E.M since 2008 and with the Suzuki Italia Institute since 2007.

In 2007 he founded the Suzuki Cello School of Catania. Some students of this have already distinguished themselves in music festivals of national importance such as: Regional Music Festival “Musical Meetings” promoted by Camerata Accentus in S. A. Li Battiati and in Trecastagni; Review for Young Musicians promoted by A.M.E.A. Mascalucia at the Expo Pedara exhibition center; they were also suitable in auditions for prestigious youth orchestras such as the Junior Orchestra of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome. Some students were also awarded in some music competitions such as: “Alfio Pulvirenti” of Comiso (Ragusa), “Placido Mandanici” of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (Messina), National competition “Nellina Cappellani-Costa” of Catania, Music Competition “Vittorio Blanco” of San Gregorio; Amigdala School Competition “Giuseppe Raciti” prize promoted by the Amigdala association of Viagrande (Catania).

President of the A.M.A.C. Association since 2010 (Music and Art Association) of Gravina in Catania which deals with promoting musical editions and the diffusion of music in the Sicilian territory, organizing courses on musical instrument, theory and propaedeutics (with particular attention to teaching at an early age and to study and performance practice of Baroque music) and musical events such as: Classical music concerts, five editions of the “Nellina Cappellani Costa” Music Competition and two editions of the Santa Cecilia Music Festival at the Rex Theater in Giarre in collaboration with the Music Academy Etnea Santa Cecilia in Giarre (Catania). The association actively collaborates with the Haffner Orchestra of Catania and has collaborated with: the S. Giorgio Polyphonic Choir, the Sicilian Grand Opera Choir, Banca Mediolanum, Physics Department of the University of Catania, Municipality of Catania – Municipality II, AFEM (Euro Mediterranean Festival Association) for the organization of concerts at the Ancient Theater of Taormina in the summer season of 2017 in concert with the Haffner Orchestra in the concerts “Hollywood Music Movie” and “Opera Gala I & II” alongside internationally renowned singers such as Gonga Dogan, Filippo Micale, Giovanni Di Mare and Maria Ratkova; he also collaborated with the “L’Impulso” Association of Acireale and recently with Inside Events.
The A.M.A.C. association It also collaborates with numerous charitable and voluntary associations of the Sicilian territory such as: the non-profit association “Progetto Madagascar” of Messina, the non-profit association “Anfass” of Messina, the Donors Association San Marco of Catania, AVIS of Catania, Caritas of Catania.
He has recorded for the record companies PDR of Catania and Shine Records of Ragusa. He is co-author of two books with the famous conductor F. Navarro Lara bestsellers on Amazon “El Gran Libro de la Interpretation Musical” and “La Forja de un Maestro” published in 2018. From 2019 they are available in three languages (English, Spanish and Italian) on Amazon also in e-book format his books on the cello, on the bow, on their history and structure and on the Six Suites by J. S. Bach for solo cello.
He participated in the Cumbre Mundial de Dirección Orquestal 2018 and 2019 in Huelva and he also performed as the cello of the O.I.D.O. (International Orchestra of Conductors) also interpreting Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major conducted by Monserrat De La Cruz. In March 2019 he founded the “Vincenzo Bellini” Chamber Orchestra of Catania of which he is director, the orchestra composed of young talents from the Sicilian territory debuted in the Opening Concert of the Holy Week Rites of Enna flanked by the Band Band “City of Enna ”and from the Polyphonic Choir Passio Hennensis of Enna with unanimous approval.
In May 2020 he obtains the Mindfullness Educator certification recognized by IPHM Holistic Accredited Board and becomes a member of the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine. He was a cello teacher at the Didactic Center of Catanzaro – “Fausto Torrefranca” Conservatory of Vibo Valentia. From 2011 to 2015 was engaged in the Cello Suzuki Music Workshop at the “Michelangelo Virgillito” Primary School in Paternò. Later he taught violoncello at the Liceo Musicale of Enna, at the laboratory of musical instrument of the III Scholastic Institute of Giarre and at the laboratory of musical propaedeutics promoted by the School of Music Mousikè of Enna. He also taught cello with the Suzuki method at the Bruno Maderna Conservatory of Music in Cesena.

He teached cello in sicilian Secondary School: “F. Petrarca”, “Montessori-Mascagni” in Catania, “De Cruyllas” in Ramacca (Catania) and currently in “Don Lorenzo Milani” Secondary School in Misterbianco (Catania).

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