Rooted in the masters
Models drawn from the great Cremonese tradition, interpreted rather than copied — so that each instrument keeps a personality of its own.
Il liutaioThe maker
Gregorio Martini
Luthier. Six years of study in Cremona, a year at the bench of Riccardo Bergonzi, and a life devoted to the voice of the violin family.
- 6years of study in Cremona
- 1year with Riccardo Bergonzi
- 4voices of the violin family
La storiaThe story
Why one violin sings
Gregorio Martini’s fascination with how instruments are made began in his youth. Long before he held a gouge, he wanted to understand why one violin sings while another merely sounds — and he decided early that he would become a master of the craft.
He laid the foundations through five years of dedicated instrument-making studies, learning the discipline of the bench: sharpening, measuring, carving and, above all, patience.
He then moved to Cremona for six years in the advanced course of the Istituto Professionale Internazionale per l’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno “Antonio Stradivari” (I.P.I.A.L.L.), under the guidance of master Aromatico. There he worked alongside some of the finest makers of the time — an apprenticeship in the truest sense.
An instrument is finished only when it begins to answer the player.
A one-year internship in the atelier of the celebrated maker Riccardo Bergonzi followed, together with a formative encounter with Alessandro Ciciliati, a representative of the Ferrara school, whose influence can still be felt in the character of every instrument Gregorio makes.
Today every violin, viola, cello and double bass that bears his name is made the same way: one at a time, by one pair of hands, from the choice of the wood to the moment the instrument first answers the bow.
La partituraA path in five bars
The score of a career
Il credoThe approach
Classical form, a personal voice
Wood that has had time
Seasoned spruce and maple, chosen piece by piece for stiffness, weight and resonance before a single cut is made.
Made to be played
An instrument is judged by its player. Each one is set up, played and adjusted until it responds — and it keeps opening up for years.
In mostraExhibitions
Cremona Mondomusica
Every autumn the international exhibition of fine string instruments brings makers and musicians from all over the world to Cremona. Gregorio Martini presented his violins, violas, cellos and double basses there in 2012 and 2013 — and, as always, they were there to be played.
20122013
01 Who is Gregorio Martini?
Gregorio Martini is a luthier — a maker of string instruments — who builds violins, violas, cellos and double basses entirely by hand. He trained for six years in Cremona and spent a year in the atelier of Riccardo Bergonzi.
02 Where did Gregorio Martini train as a violin maker?
He spent six years in the advanced violin-making course of the Istituto Professionale Internazionale per l’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno “Antonio Stradivari” (I.P.I.A.L.L.) in Cremona, Italy, under master Aromatico, followed by a one-year internship in the atelier of Riccardo Bergonzi. His contact with Alessandro Ciciliati of the Ferrara school had a lasting influence on his style.
03 Has Gregorio Martini exhibited his instruments?
Yes. He presented his instruments at Cremona Mondomusica, the international exhibition of fine string instruments, in 2012 and 2013.
04 Can I commission a made-to-measure instrument?
Yes. A commission begins with a conversation about your playing, your repertoire and the sound you are looking for. Together you choose the model, the wood and the colour of the varnish, and the instrument is then made for you alone.
Finale
Let us make an instrument that sounds like you.
Tell Gregorio about your playing, your repertoire and the voice you are searching for. Every commission begins with a conversation.