Amati family

Amati family
Family of Italian violin makers in Cremona in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Andrea (с 1520–с 1578) set the form of the modern violin. His two sons Antonio (с 1550–1638) and Girolamo (1561–1630) worked together and were known as the brothers Amati. Girolamo's son Nicolò (1596–1684), who like his forebears worked in Cremona, is regarded as the family's finest craftsman. Among his famous pupils were Andrea Guarneri and Antonio Stradivari; Nicolò was succeeded by his son Girolamo (1649–1740). The great contribution of the Amatis to the development of the violin was their evolution of the flat, shallow model, which, as improved by Stradivari, is capable of producing a brilliant soprano tone.

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▪ Italian violin makers
      a family of celebrated Italian violin makers in Cremona in the 16th and 17th centuries.

      Andrea (c. 1520–c. 1578), the founder of the Cremona school of violin making, was perhaps originally influenced by the work of slightly earlier makers from Brescia. His earliest-known violins are dated about 1564. In essentials, they set the style for all the models made by later members of the family and, with the modifications introduced by Antonio Stradivari, for the modern violin. Andrea made violins in two sizes, the larger of which later became known as the “grand Amati.” He also introduced the characteristic amber-coloured varnish.

      Andrea's two sons Antonio (c. 1550–1638) and Girolamo (Hieronymus; 1551–1635) worked together until the latter's death and are known as the brothers Amati.

      Nicolò (1596–1684) was the son of Girolamo. The most famous of the family, he produced instruments notable for beauty of workmanship and tone and was the master from whom Stradivari (Stradivari, Antonio) and Andrea Guarneri (Guarneri Family), among others, learned their craft. He was succeeded by his son Girolamo (1649–1740); it is generally held that his instruments suffered in comparison with those of his predecessors.

      The great contribution of the Amatis to the development of the violin was their evolution of the flat, shallow model, which, as improved by Stradivari, proved the fittest to survive in modern concert conditions by reason of the brilliant soprano tone of which it is capable.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Amati — Amati1 [ä mä′tē; ] E [ ə mät′ē] n. a violin made by any member of the Amati family Amati2 [ä mä′tē; ] E [ ə mät′ē] Nicolò [nē΄kō̂ lō̂′] 1596 1684; It. violin maker: member of a family of violin makers of Cremona, Italy (fl. 16th 17th cent.);… …   English World dictionary

  • Amati Quartet — The Amati Quartet in Residence is a string quartet, associated with the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) in Saskatoon, Canada.The ensemble performs with four instruments made by the Amati family of luthiers now owned by the university. They… …   Wikipedia

  • Amati — n. family name; Nicolò Amati (1596 1684), Italian violin maker from who Stradivari learned his trade; violin made by the Amati family …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Amati — I. noun (plural Amatis) Date: 1833 a violin made by a member of the Amati family of Cremona II. biographical name family of Italian violin makers of Cremona: especially Nicolò 1596 1684 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • family — /fam euh lee, fam lee/, n., pl. families, adj. n. 1. parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. 2. the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family. 3. the spouse and children …   Universalium

  • Amati, Hieronymus —    , Son of Nicholas, born 1649, said to be the last of the Amati family. A violin of his is mentioned, dated 1672 …   Violins and Violin Makers. Biographical Dictionary

  • Amati — is the name of a family of Italian violin makers, who flourished at Cremona from about 1549 to 1740.Family membersAndrea AmatiAndrea Amati (ca. 1505 ndash; ca. 1578) was the earliest maker of violins whose instruments still survive today. Indeed… …   Wikipedia

  • Amati — noun 1. Italian violin maker in Cremona; taught the craft to Guarneri and Stradivari (1596 1684) • Syn: ↑Nicolo Amati, ↑Nicola Amati • Instance Hypernyms: ↑violin maker 2. a violin made by Nicolo Amati or a member of his family • Hypernyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Amati — /ah mah tee/, n. 1. Nicolò /nee kaw law /, 1596 1684, Italian violinmaker, one of a famous family of 16th and 17th century violinmakers: teacher of Antonio Stradivari. 2. a violin made by a member of this family. * * * …   Universalium

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