Carlo Antonio Testore, Strad Magazine Article
Italian violas of the 17th and 18th centuries are rare. For reasons unknown, composers neglected the viola in this time and so did makers. Antonio Stradivari made more than 600 violins but only around twelve violas. For today’s violinist, the early instruments that do exist are either too small or too large (although, of course, many have now been cut down).
A fine violin by Carlo Giuseppe Oddone, Turin, 1927 and 2 Sartory viola bows!
CG Oddone (1866-1935) is today regarded as one of the finest makers from Turin in the early 20th century (and late 19th). He studied with Benedetto Gioffredo-Rinaldi for 8 years, he then worked in London for a few before returning to Turin. His instruments are never antiqued and show a lot of personality.
This 1927 violin is a fine example of his later work. Made on a somewhat Stradivari model, yet his typical slighty clenched scroll with black chamfers, a one piece back..the overall feeling is power and beauty. While I used to love the Bologna makers…these days I have moved to Turin with the makers, Marchetti, Fagnola and Oddone. We are lucky to have examples of all these makers available.
Eugene Sartory is today regarded as the finest 20th Century bow maker. We are lucky here to have 2 examples of his fine viola bows. One, with a straight frog, is his early 1900/10 period…similar to Lamy, but perhaps with more visual power! The other bow, circa 1915 , is a typical example of his standard viola bow. Both these bows come from great backgrounds…one is ex London Symphony…the other 2nd generation French violin maker collection!
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