Playing in a Brand New Master Violin

January 22, 2007 at 5:33 AM

For the past 5 days I've been in violin shopaholic's heaven. My friend is letting me play in a violin made by Maestro Claudio Rampini that has just been finished. My first impression was, "I'm jealous!"

This newly made violin is a beaut! Reddish brown varnish, impeccable workmanship and a solid tone. Wow! This violin, although brand new, is already rich and full sounding. It is bright and sweet in the upper registers and powerful and boomy in the lower registers. What more can you want? I also love the slightly earthy grittiness of the mid-range, giving it a full-bodied heft, a real mature sounding violin.

Sure, it is still new and requires a little harder bowing, but it is very responsive nonetheless. In the few days I had it, it has smoothed out it's tiny bits of unevenness and the fuzziness is replaced by an appealing warmth with a hint of grit. This violin sings and is showing its inherently sweet voice. Only a tiny hint of nasalness betrays its newborn status. And I expect that as the weeks go by it will be opened up and sing even more sweeter and brighter. I've played a lot of new violins, being a frequent visitor of the Cremona shows and violin shops, and this one can stand up and beat most of the new violins coming out today. It has punch, spunk and expressiveness. And best of all, it is rich from the start. No thin toned nasal pinched sound that is so common with newborn fiddles.

And the back, is so gorgeous. The picture does not do justice, because the flames dance on the violin as you move it under the light. It is well arched, scooped, edged and all of the other good things done by a master maker. And best of all, it's a violin you can't put down. I have several other violins I can choose from, and this weekend I went for the Rampini Toscano each time. It's seductive alluring sound is perfect for Bach to Beethoven, Paganini to Irish fiddle. Okay, well maybe not Bach, but I don't have to make it that smoky. Let me rephrase, the clarity and focus of the violin makes it perfect for Bach and Mozart, but with the mysterious reserve for Beethoven, Paganini and Gypsy tunes. The crispness of the response and the lyrical smoothness for the lilt of the Irish while the ability to take strong bowing without getting crushed gives the aggressive violinist or fiddler a real workout.

This is one masterpiece and I'm envious of the eventual owner. However if I'm going to pursue my hobby of playing in new violins for makers, I cannot afford to let myself get attached to it. I love it and have been playing on it as much as I can before I have to give it up to the first potential customer. Makes me feel like those folks who raise seeing-eye puppies. Getting to be part of the growth and the opening up of a masterpiece violin is a neat experience because it develops your ear as well as ability to judge violins by feel and response. What a treat!

[the little arrow is from cursor where my screen capture software caught it and not on the violin]
For better pictures:

http://claudiorampini.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=123

Enjoy!

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on January 22, 2007 at 6:02 AM

Greetings,
now that`s a nice looking violin.
Cheers,
Buri

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on January 22, 2007 at 6:04 AM

That sounds like a lot of fun. I envy you.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on January 22, 2007 at 2:26 PM

Ooh, what a delicious description! Thanks so much for going into such detail - I found it just fascinating.

From Karin Lin
Posted on January 22, 2007 at 5:27 PM

If I buy it, Clare, you can have visiting privileges. :)

From Mahmoud Ibrahim
Posted on January 23, 2007 at 6:22 AM