Stradivari << `strad` uh VAIR ee >>, Antonio (1644?-1737), was one of the leading instrument makers in music history. He used Stradivarius, the Latin form of his name, on the labels of his instruments. Stradivari was probably born in Cremona, Italy. He studied there with Nicolo Amati, a noted instrument maker, and served for a time as Amati’s assistant. During his long career, Stradivari made about 1,100 instruments. Of these, about 635 violins, 17 violas, and 60 cellos still exist.
Stradivari’s instruments combine excellent wood, outstanding craftsmanship, beautiful shape and proportion, and superb varnish. His masterpieces provide an incomparable blend of strength and sweetness of sound. Stradivari’s instruments, like others of his time, were later modified. These changes gave the instruments increased string tension and the structural strength to resist that tension. The modified instruments gained the volume needed to perform in the large concert halls and with the large orchestras of the 1800’s and 1900’s.
