Five Violas Crafted by World-Renowned Makers: The Luthier’s Art

1 The MacDonald Viola

The MacDonald Viola was named after one of its former owners, but this statement piece was crafted by Stradivari Antonio. He was one of the most famous luthiers in history. Among his eleven Italian violas known to exist today, MacDonald is particularly noteworthy.

It is one of the most expensive musical instruments ever sold, valued at around $45 million in 2014 by the fine art giant auction house Sotheby’s. Its fine condition of preservation and rarty contributed to this viola’s high valuation.

Despite the small amount of know violas by Stradivari, many people were surprised by the hefty price of this piece. But if we look at history, the price seems to be justified. It was owned by well-known musician, Peter Schildof for decades and then preserved in storage since his death. It is among the few violas that are not housed in any museum but kept in private ownership.

These reasons have made McDonald’s it be valued at $45 million. Stradivari’s violas are still something that every collector and chamber musician wants to acquire, not only for their historical value but their unmatched playability as well.

2 Ex-Primrose Guarneri Viola

The ex-primrose Guarneri is a renowned viola that was crafted back in the late 17th century. The credit for the top-notch craftsmanship goes to the Guarneri family, which resides in Cremona, Italy. However, who owns the actual credits is a bit controversial.

Even though this viola bears the label of Andrea Guarneri, experts attribute the construction of this fine instrument to his son, Giuseppe Guarneri, also known as Joseph’ filius Andrea’. The distinctive design of the sound holes sets this viola apart from the others.

This instrument has a rich and golden varnish Italian maple was used for the back and open-grained spruce was used for the front. Its top-notch tone and projection have made this a statement piece. 

This viola was owned by famous names like the Earl of Harrington and the well-known violinist William Primrose, after whom it is named. Primrose got this instrument in 1954, and it passed through the hands of other distinguished musicians. Its journey ended in 2012 when it was sold for over $4 million in an auction, the highest publicly recorded price for a viola of any type.  

3 Baron Knoop

The Baron Knoop viola of Jacob Stainer is a stunning example of his phenomenal expertise and is considered one of the signature pieces in the world of string instruments. Jacob Stainer belonged to the Austro-German school, and people think that he might have been a student of Nicolo Amati in Cremona. 

However, no historical records are complete to prove this hypothesis. But this assumption was made based on the high similarity of Stainer’s work with Amati’s. The Baron Knoop viola is considered one of the most outstanding works of Jacob Stainer because of its generous proportions and appealing visuals. 

The body of this viola measures 16-11/16 inches with a width of 7-15/16 inches across the upper bouts and 9 inches across the lower bouts. Even the original manuscript, labeled dated 1670, is also present on Baron Knoop. 

The original varnish and golden ground are still in their place, making it a desirable item for generations. Its lineage dates back to 1885 when it came into English possession from a noble Hungarian family, and then it was acquired by the late Baron Knoop, a collector renowned for his fine taste in music. 

This viola got its name after him; it was acquired by Hill & Sons. In 1924, Nathan E. Posner purchased it, and at last, it was sold to Alexander J. Stuart, and right now, it is in private possession. 

4 Smith Viola

Violas crafted by Arthur Edward Smith, better known as A. E. Smith, are considered masterpieces. Smith’s violas favored two models: the Brescian model and the MacDonald Stradivarius model. The Brescian model violas are famous for their large size and distinctive F-holes that produce a resonant sound, which many professional musicians aim for. 

Contrary to the Brescian model, the MacDonald Stradivarius model is known for its playability due to the smaller dimensions around the bouts. The rarity of Smith’s viola is due to their sky-touching prices and increased demand by musicians and collectors. 

The attention to detail, chisel marks, and its finest varnish enhance the overall appearance of Smith’s viola. The National Museum of Australia holds a quartet of Smith’s instrumental collection so Smith’s viola is also currently present there. 

From the careful selection of the materials to the precise handcrafting of the viola, Amorim put all his effort into preserving the most important article of Guarneri’s work. The top-notch varnish not only contributes to its visual appeal but also enhances the sound quality. 

The back of the viola is made of one-piece slab-cut maple, and Italian Spruce is used for top manufacturing. The textured grain and discreet patina add authenticity and make it a true inspiration for the Guarneri viola.  

Luiz Amorim completed his art studies from the State School of Music and Fine Arts which laid a foundation for his future career. For a decade, he worked as a professional artist and practiced his drawing, painting, and sculpture-making skills. But then his interest developed in violas, violins, and cellos under the mentorship of a maestro. 

After beginning his making career in 1994, Luiz Amorim has been perfecting his craft ever since. Luiz Amorim instruments are the result of countless hours spent mastering his technique, focusing on achieving the highest quality of workmanship, with a refined finish and sound. Luiz Amorim’s pieces follow the traditional Italian school, made in the inspiring surroundings of Cremona.

Luiz established his own workshop in Cremona, Italy where he, along with his team, worked dedicatedly to restore and make the best violas and violins and his Italian violas, cellos, and violins gained a lot of recognition in the United States and now his work is recognized globally.