An Italo-American Cello by: Vittore Giardinieri, Lake Creek, Oregon 1995

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Vittore Giardinieri / Victor Gardener (b.1909, d.2006) was born in Oregon to immigrants of the Tyrolian region of present-day Italy. He began making instruments at 19, a complete autodidact. His work was eventually discovered by Hans Weisshaar, who introduced him to legendary Italo-American luthier, Simone Sacconi. Giardinieri worked in logging, farming and irrigation while continuing to improve his craft. With the exception of the ebony (which he purchased as raw timber and sometimes substituted with mountain mahogany), he personally sourced all his wood locally. He selected, cut, milled, dried and aged his own timber. Moreover, he made his own purfling, fittings and even chinrests for each of his instruments. He imparted much of this knowledge to master luthier, Christopher Dungey. According to Dungey, Giardinieri completed 405 instruments, 108 of them being cellos. he is an important and influential figure in American violin making. This cello, made in Giardinieri's 86th year, had a rugged appearance befitting a maker who worked the land. There is a beauty in this rough yet inspired work. This instrument bears no conceit. It is an honest instrument, imbued with the character and integrity of the maker. Wonderful shades of gold reflect and scatter from this cello's rough surface. It's tone, deep, warm and earthy.