marco maria gastaldi
maestro liutaio

Profile

marco maria gastaldi

 I have been working as a violin and bow maker for the last twenty years, applying all my intellectual and manual skills to the creation of instruments that can best satisfy all the requirements  of string quartet musicians.
I made about a hundred instruments – violins, violas, cellos- always trying to solve the many problems involved in violinmaking, with a view to reach the best possible quality, according to concepts and ideas in constant evolution. I personally take care of every proceeding: from the accurate selection of wood and material of excellent quality to the final touch on every instrument.
In 1990, driven by a keen passion I entered the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan, where I learned how to make new instruments under Maestro Luca Primon and restoration under Maestro Gabriele Negri. I graduated in violinmaking in1994.
I have been living and working in Cremona since 1991, a city I have found ideal to realize my ambitions in my range of activity. I produce totally handmade instruments, freely inspired to those created by the traditional masters: Gasparo da Salò, Nicola Amati, Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarnieri del Gesù, Giovanni Battista and Pietro Giacomo Rogeri.
The varnish I use is made of linseed oil, colophon and amber; that allows me to make “new” instruments, old-style ones and copies of the most famous.
As I firmly believe in reaching the best possible insight into the problems involved in playing a string instrument, I attended a bow making course held by masters Giovani Lucchi, Germano Santi and Daniel Navea Vera, from 1994 to 1996. I am now a bowmaker too and can supply my customers with a new offer and a deeper competence.

In the same spirit and for the same reasons, I have learned to play the violin and the viola, before applying myself more specifically to the cello, with Maesto Fausto Solci as a teacher.
Though I am an amateur, this practice allows me to consider instruments from the musician’s point of view, an approach that, though convergent, is often far from the violinmaker’s. Thanks to this double approach, I have improved and refined my perception of acoustic and sound varieties as well as of the peculiarities of every single instrument.

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Instruments

new instruments, antiquing and accurate copies

modello "Jean Becker 1732" Guarnieri del Gesù

2014, violino

modello Stradivari cm 41


2012, viola

modello Nicolò Amati


2013, violoncello

violino, 2010

violino, 2012

violino, 2014

viola, 2010

violoncello, 2011

violoncello, 2014

Rental

stringed instruments of larger size

Learning how to play a string instrument requires a careful initiation right from the beginning, which means, apart from good aptitudes, a qualified teacher, constant practice and the use of an efficient instrument. Instead, beginners very often have instruments of inadequate quality .
The hiring service aims at offering good quality ready made string instruments, in all sizes and dimensions, periodically checked by an expert violinmaker. We supply instruments of every level fit for beginners, amateurs and professionals
The hiring service gives the opportunity to know the real possibilities an instrument can offer to those wishing to play it. Moreover, it allows students who approach a violin, a viola or a cello for the first time to try it and then decide advisedly whether  they really want to go on studying music - and this at a reasonable price.
Periodically expert maintenance and highly qualified advice given all through the years  will ensure a steady course of studies.
The hiring service is an opportunity particularly for very young students who may, as they grow up, change their instrument against one of a larger size whenever necessary, without extra fees or a new lease.
The bow and the case are provided together with the instrument. The first lease is established for  three months, renewable monthly.

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MONTHLY FEE INCLUDING VAT € 18
MONTHLY FEE INCLUDING VAT € 20
MONTHLY FEE INCLUDING VAT € 25

Contacts