BACHMANN, LOUIS CHARLES, Berlin, born 1716, died 1800. Considered to be
one of the best makers of Germany. Otto says, the Instruments by this
Maker are next in point of quality to the Cremonese. Without going so
far, with our present increased knowledge of the pupils of the Cremona
makers, it may still be admitted that Bachmann was an excellent maker
and was very careful in his proportions, so that Amateurs have been
often deceived into thinking them genuine Cremonas. They are of the
flat Stradiuarius Model, made of good wood, with amber varnish, and
therefore present considerable similarity to their patterns.
BAGANZI, --- see Bergonzi.
BAGATELLA, PIETRO,--Padua, 1766. Said not to be very good.
BAGATELLA, ANTONIO,--Padua, 1782. Author of a Work on the construction
of Instruments, from which Bishop in his Translation of Otto, has
appended a Theory for making a Violin on a very simple plan. He made
some excellent Violins after Cremona patterns.
BAINES, --- London, about 1780.
BAKER, --- Oxford about 1720.
BALESTRIERI, THOMAS, This excellent Maker was a pupil of Stradiuarius,
and made after his model. The Author has seen an Instrument by this
Artist, which is of the large flat pattern and has a magnificent and
brilliant tone. The wood of the back and ribs rather plain--the belly
very fine open grain, purfling not very neat--varnish reddish yellow.
Pronounced by judges to be equal to a fine Stradiuarius. It is dated
Thomas Balestrieri, Cremonensis, fecit Mantua, 1757. This instrument is
a proof that amateurs may in future look with safety to the pupils of
Stradiuarius for violins to take the place of those of the great
masters, which are yearly becoming scarcer and dearer.
BALESTRIERI, PIETRO, Cremona, rather earlier than Thomas.
BANKS, BENJAMIN, Salisbury. Born 1727, died 1795. Foster in his
excellent work calls him "one of England's best manufacturers. Too much
cannot be said in praise of this justly celebrated Maker. The work of
all the better class of instruments is excellent, the tone good of all;
but that of the Violoncellos in particular is full and sonorous." Mr.
Gardiner in his "Music and Friends," says "Banks of Salisbury's
Violoncellos are of the finest quality of tone--not so strong and fiery
as Foster's, but in sweetness and purity excelling them." They are
chiefly of the Amati pattern.--The best Instruments have brownish
yellow Varnish with a tinge of red, others deep red of a blackish
tinge, Varnish not brilliant.
BANKS, BENJAMIN, Son of the former, London, born 1754, died 1820.
BANKS, JAMES and HENRY, Salisbury, other sons of the same. James is
said to have been an excellent workman in his father's style, and dates
about 1805.
BARRETT, JOHN, London, about 1725. His labels state him to live at the
Harp and Crown, in Picadilly. He made some good instruments, but did
not purfle them. The author has seen a Violoncello by this maker which
was everything that could be desired in the matter of tone. The wood
and workmanship, however, were not equal to the tone, and this
circumstance will probably partly account for the settled preference
now given to the Italian instruments over all the old English makers.
BARTON, GEORGE, London, died 1810.
BEKMAN, SWENO, Stockholm, 1706.
BELLOSIO, --- one of the Venetian makers, 18th Century.
BENOIST, --- Paris, 18th Century.
BENTE, MATTEO, Brescia, about 1580. Well known among virtuosi as a
maker of merit in the style of Gaspar di Salo and Magini.
BERGONZI, or BAGANZI, FRANCISCO, Cremona, 1687.
BERGONZI, CARLO, Cremona, 1712 to 1750. Considered by authorities to
be the best pupil of Stradiuarius. He made instruments of the same
beautiful and brilliant tone which has rendered the productions of his
master famous throughout the world. Constructed on similar principles,
and generally of well-chosen wood, there is no doubt the productions of
this excellent artiste will hereafter rank very high. Like Stradiuarius
himself, Carlo Bergonzi is by some considered to have been at one time
a pupil of Nicholas Amati. Every amateur would, if it were possible,
get a Stradiuarius, an Amati, or a Guarnerius, but as the genuine
violins of these makers are very rare and valuable, they should look
for the veritable instruments of their pupils, which are now beginning
to be highly esteemed on account of their intrinsic excellence.
BERGONZI, NICHOLAS, Son of Carlo, but said to be inferior to his
father.
BERGONZI, MICHAEL ANGELO, Probably another son of Carlo. He, also, has
the credit of being a pupil of Stradiuarius, though that seems rather
doubtful, because the latter died in 1737, at which time, if a son of
Carlo, he would not have been old enough.
BERNADEL, --- Paris, 18th Century.
BETTS, JOHN, called Old Betts, London,
and
BETTS, EDWARD, his nephew.
These two well known makers were said to be pupils of Duke, but often
employed other artistes, such as Carter, Panormo, B. Fendt, and his
sons, whose work, chiefly imitations of the Cremona instruments, gained
them great reputation both at home and abroad. 1782 to 1823.
BINTERNAGLE, --- Gotha, 18th Century. This maker was a German imitator
of the Cremona Violins, and is said to have been very successful.
BOCQUAY, JAQUES, Paris, about 1620. A very good maker, and highly
esteemed in France.
BODIO, --- Venezia, 18th Century.
BOLLES, --- An early English Lute and Viol Maker. Mace, 1675, says
"one bass of Bolles, I have known valued at L100," equal to at least
L600 of our present money.
BORELLI, ANDREAS, Parma, 1740.
BOULLAINGER, --- London. A careful maker, who first worked for others,
and now on his own account.
BREMEISTER, JAN., Amsterdam, 1707.
BROSCHI, CARLO, Parma, 1744.
BRETON, Le, Paris.
BROWN, JAMES, born 1670, died 1834,
and
BROWN, JAMES, son of do., born 1786, died 1860. Both good workmen, but
without any speciality.
BUCHSTADTER, --- Ratisbon, 18th Century. Used the flat model. Otto
says the wood is not good, and therefore, though well built, the tone
is not fine; but Spohr puts his violins on his list as excellent
instruments. He may, therefore, be ranked among the good German makers.
BUDIANI, JAVIETTA, Brescia, about 1580. Made after the style of Gaspar
di Salo.