Gaetano and Pietro Sgarabotto

Biography

Gaetano Sgarabotto 1878 - 1959 was born in Vicenza. His son Pietro Sgarabotto 1903 – 1990 born in Milan, retired 1971, but still produced masterworks as late as 1979; both worked for their whole life in Italy as master violinmakers. [cite news | url=http://www.maestronet.com/m_library/world_strings/fall83.pdf | title=Bisiach Family | publisher=William Moening & Sons Ltd. | author=Philip J. Kass| date=1983 | accessdate=2007-04-05]

Gaetano S. worked initially in the city of Vicenza for many years before moving to Milan in 1901 to work for Leandro Bisiach. He moved to Parma in 1926, where he stayed almost without interruptions until his death in 1959.

His son, Pietro, continued in his father’s profession and also became a master violinmaker in his own right. Today one speaks within initiated circles with the utmost admiration of the brief, but prestigious dynasty of violinmakers Sgarabotti. This refers to the historical presence of both these masters who, apart from creating their own master instruments, spent much of their time passing on experience to young violin makers. [ [http://www.liuteria-parmense.com/eng/storia_900.htm Liuteria Parmense] ]

Indeed the activity of the Sgarabotto makers was very influential in the violin making school of Parma, Cremona and elsewhere. Much could be said about their combined influence on the cultural heritage within the musical world of string instruments, and of the enormous regard and esteem with which all their students and musicians held the masters. The greatest interest by posterity, of course, centers on their combined oeuvre, on the set of master violins from their hand left for us to play and admire.

The works of both the Sgarabotto makers can be readily identified by their meticulous choice of materials, the workmanship always being exquisitely “manual” in every phase of the making of each instrument, and showing extreme precision and loving care to detail.

The violin making of the Sgarabotto makers is always graceful, that of the father Gaetano said to be presenting a lighter touch whilst the graduation used by Pietro is more consistent. The sonority and general musical quality of these master violins of course shall forever be residing in their handling by the musicians and experts who are fortunate enough to play a Sgarabotto violin, viola, violoncello….

[Gaetano e Pietro Sgarabotto-Liutai Violin Makers 1878-1990 Editrice TURRIS 1991 ISBN 88-7929-000-2]

Bibliography

Gaetano e Pietro Sgarabotto-Liutai Violin Makers 1878-1990 Editrice TURRIS 1991 ISBN 88-7929-000-2

References

*cite news | url=http://www.maestronet.com/m_library/world_strings/fall83.pdf | title=Bisiach Family | publisher=William Moening & Sons Ltd. | author=Philip J. Kass| date=1983 | accessdate=2007-04-05
* Gaetano e Pietro Sgarabotto-Liutai Violin Makers 1878-1990 Editrice TURRIS 1991 ISBN 88-7929-000-2
* Jost Thoene, "Italian & French Makers" (2006)
* Marlin Brinser, "Dictionary of 20th Century Italian Violin Makers" (1978)
* Carlo Vettori, "I Maestri Del Novecento" (1992)
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* Versari Artemio, "Modern Violin Making in the Emilia-Romagna Region" (2002)
* [http://www.liuteria-parmense.com/eng/storia_900.htm Liuteria Parmense]

External sources

[http://www.maestronet.com/m_library/world_strings/fall83.pdf Bisiach Family Heritage.] by Philip J. Kass [cite news | url=http://www.maestronet.com/m_library/world_strings/fall83.pdf | title=Bisiach Family | publisher=William Moening & Sons Ltd. | author=Philip J. Kass| date=1983 | accessdate=2007-04-05] [cite news | url=http://www.maestronet.com/m%5Flibrary/world_strings/index.cfm | title=Selected World of Strings Newsletters | publisher=William Moening & Sons Ltd. | author=Philip J. Kass| date=1982 | accessdate=2007-04-05]

[http://www.liuteria-parmense.com/eng/storia_900.htm Liuteria Parmense]

Pietro Sgarabotto & David Oistrakh photo [http://www.sarasate.net/liuteria_geng/sgarabotto.html]