Violin - Alberto Cassutti, Padova 2024

This violin was made by Alberto Cassutti in 2024, in Padua. Cassutti is an Italian maker currently based in Padua, who is well-respected both for his making as well as his expertise in restoration. He studied at the Violin Making School of Parma led by Renato Scrollavezza, and simultaneously apprenticed in the Giovanni Lazzaro workshop in Padua, getting extensive practical experience early on in his career and eventually working his way up from his apprenticeship there to full employment. In 2006, Cassutti moved to London, where we worked at Bridgewood & Neitzert and then at Florian Leonhard's, where he studied fine 18th Century Italian instruments and the finer details of restoration. He has since collaborated with Franco Simeoni in restoration work and has won numerous awards for his making, being chosen to make a violin for the winner of the 20th Postacchini International Violin Competition in 2013, and winning three awards at the National Association of Italian Artistic Lutherie Competition in 2019. 

The violin is labelled "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis / Faciebat anno 1716" and stamped "A. Cassutti - Padova". The body measures 356mm along the back, 172mm across the upper bouts, and 210mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of highly flamed maple of a medium curl, and wood of the ribs and scroll match the back. The front is a finely grained spruce that widens towards the bouts, and the violin is finished with a red-gold varnish and ebony fittings. 

It has a warm, smooth character to it, and projects easily with little effort. Its tone will be quite familiar to someone accustomed to fine Italian violins, and this violin carries that Italianate power and vibrancy very well in all registers, without losing any of its own individual warmth and roundedness. This combination makes for an elegant sound with an undercurrent of vitality that would suit a violinist in any situation very well, whether it is orchestral, chamber, or solo performance. 

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this beautiful Italian violin.