THE JOURNAL FROM CREMONA

Fine Instruments, Makers and Stories

Discover the people, places and traditions behind exceptional violins, violas, cellos and bows, with expert perspectives on historic makers, Cremonese craftsmanship, notable sales and the world of fine instruments.

String
Amorim Fine Violins April 22, 2026
Top Violin Strings of 2026: The Best Options

The soul of the violin lies in its strings. Every nuance of tone, from warm and mellow to bright and powerful, is shaped by the strings you choose. With so many options available, finding the perfect set can feel overwhelming, especially when each one offers a different playing experience. That’s where Thomastik-Infeld stands out. Known for precision, […]

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About Violins
Amanda Schwegler April 22, 2026
Why Is The Violin So Beautiful? Understanding The Amazing Masterpiece

Why is the violin beautiful? How did it engage so many people? A tiny piece of wood, strings and some other things, the violin plays more than just music. It helps people connect. It's a musical masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The violin has had an extremely important role in the spread of […]

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Meet the Maker
Luiz Amorim April 22, 2026
Amati Viola and Fine Instruments: Craftsmanship and Heritage

Amati Viola and Fine Instruments Andrea Amati, the father of the world of violin-making, founded a legacy that has spanned generations and has created the foundation for the world-renowned Cremonese violin-making tradition. But did you know that Amati is also considered one of the creators of the modern viola as we know it today? In […]

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About Violins
Amorim Fine Violins April 22, 2026
7 Top Symphony Orchestras of the World that Perform with Gracefulness

Our selection of the greatest Symphony Orchestras Worldwide Known for their elegant and beautiful performances, the most outstanding Symphony Orchestras have the power to leave us speechless with such beautiful work. All over the world and with excellent musicians, the symphonies are all so amazing!  What is the greatest Orchestra in the world you would […]

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Violin Making
Gaian Amorim April 22, 2026
The Ideal Soundpost Placement

The Ideal Soundpost Placement: How Position Impacts Your Instrument’s Tone Do you experience trouble when managing the acoustics of your stringed instrument — be it a violin, cello, or viola? It is an all too common problem among these instruments and can be solved quite easily if you take care of the soul of your […]

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About Violins
Luan Amorim April 22, 2026
Fine Italian Violin: Why Did Italy Dominate The Violin-Making Industry For Centuries?

What makes the Italian violin so special? Since the 15th century, Italy has been home to some of the world's finest violins; and for centuries, nearly every legendary violinist carried an Italian-made violin. There are instances where musicians would even claim to have bad performances because their violins weren't made in Italy! But why do Italians dominate […]

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Featured Instrument
Amorim Fine Violins April 22, 2026
Top 5 Facts About Stradivari: The history of the Stradivari Violin

Facts about Antonio Stradivari's History Known all over the world, Stradivari crafted an estimated 1,000 instruments, 650 of which survive today. Born in 1644 and originally from Cremona, Antonio Stradivari is known as one of the best violin-makers! The luthier spent 71 years crafting violins, violas, and cellos, which is quite a lot for somebody who […]

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About Violins
Amanda Schwegler April 22, 2026
Violin Makers in Cremona: History & Present

Violin Makers in Cremona: History & Present Deep in the heart of Italy, nestled along the tranquil banks of the Po River, lies the charming town of Cremona. This enchanting town has been a sanctuary for centuries for craftsmen, musicians, and dreamers. Cremona is the epicenter of violin making, where the art of crafting violin, viola, and cello has […]

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Meet the Maker
Amorim Fine Violins April 22, 2026
French Violin Makers

French Violin Makers Violin making is a challenging yet beautiful craft, capturing the hearts of musicians and string instrument enthusiasts worldwide. These fine instruments are tricky to learn, requiring robust skills to balance the challenging instrument while playing it. So, it’s no surprise that violins, violas, and cellos are physically challenging to produce! This article […]

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About Violins
Luiz Amorim April 22, 2026
Antonio Stradivari: The Best Works of the Master

Few names in music history carry as much reverence as Antonio Stradivari, who is a great inspiration for us at Amorim.  His violins, known as Stradivarius, are symbols of perfection instruments that have transcended centuries, still played by the greatest musicians of our time. From the intimate workshops of Cremona, Italy, Stradivari transformed the art of violin making into […]

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