A Fine Italian Violin by Leandro Bisiach I, Milan 1904

Copy of 1696 Stradivarius​

 Leandro Bisiach I (b.1864, d.1945) was one of the finest violinmakers around the turn of the last century and is largely responsible for revitalizing the art of traditional violinmaking in Italy. Today he is regarded in a somewhat analogous fashion to J.B. Vuillaume in so much as he employed many of the most talented makers of their time and founded one of the most important violin businesses in Europe. Although Bisiach was an exceptionally fine violin maker in his own right, he was also able to get the best work out of the makers he employed. Bisiach studied violin making with Riccardo Antoniazzi who, along with Riccardo’s father and brother (Gaetano and Romeo), he went on to employ. Through the Antoniazzis, Bisiach is connected to the old Cremonese tradition. Among the makers he employed were the Garimbertis, Giuseppe Ornati, Rocchi Sesto and Igino Sderci (to name a few). Notably, Gaetano Sgarabotto worked for Bisiach at this time this instrument was made. This particular example is a rare copy of a 1696 Stradivari with a rich, dark red varnish and striking one-piece back. It has an exceptionally pure and sweet upper register. Although the sound is very subtle under the ear, it carries extraordinarily well in the concert hall and boasts what so many violinists refer to as the classic “Italian sound”. The legendary violin virtuoso, Nathan Milstein, is known to have owned at least one Bisiach. Bisiach himself was a professional violinist who maintained a full concert schedule with the finest quartets and orchestras in Italy and counted Sarasate, Joachim, Piatti, Puccini and others among his friends. This instrument would support a professional musician of the highest caliber and would make an excellent investment.

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