Cremona, Italy 2025
Offered here is a contemporary Italian violin by Luca Baratto.
A graduate of the International Violin Making School in Cremona, Luca spent twelve years working in the workshop of Bruce Carlson and now divides his time between new making and restoration. He also teaches restoration at his alma matter.
Through his restoration work, Luca has developed an appreciation for the individuality and bold character of 20th-century Italian makers, and elements of that influence can be seen in this violin.
The instrument is finished in a striking, transparent red varnish with a smooth, refined texture. With its relatively high arching, the violin produces a focused, direct tone, with notable power in the lower register.
A beautiful example of contemporary Italian making, this violin offers both individuality and refinement.
When I first saw the violin, I couldn’t help but notice the scroll was reminiscent of Poggi’s work, so I had to ask.
Poggi is one of my favorite makers. I’ve always admired his unmistakable style and consistency in construction. I think it’s essential for a violinmaker to have a recognizable style of construction and sound. Obviously, it’s not a copy; I just stole a few details from him, as well as from Stradivari and many others… I work as a restorer half the time, and seeing the instruments of the skilled violinmakers of the past (I really like 20th-century Italian violins…I find them very spontaneous and courageous in some of their stylistic solutions) is always an inspiration for building my own instruments. I can also hear so many different sounds and get an idea of how I’d like my violin to sound.
– Dott. Luca Baratto