"FIORINI, GIUSEPPE Born at Bazzano (Italy), 1861. Son and pupil of Raffaele. Inherited parent's cultivated propensities in arts and sciences. Built first instrument at the age of 16 years. Worked at Bologna, 1877-1888. Went to Munich and established the Firm "Rieger and Fiorini" 1889-1914; went to Zurich owing to the war, 1915; returned to native country 1923, and settled at Rome 1923. Honored with a knighthood (Cavaliere), 1927. Died at Munich, 1934. Had many pupils subsequently prominent in Bavaria and Italy, and enjoyed personal friendship of Royalty, opulent patrons of art, and eminent virtuosi in Italy, France, Germany, and Russia.

One of the founders of the German Violin-makers' Society, and occupied the position of President for several years. Contributed controversial articles to journals which exhibited all possible erudition coupled with acute reasoning powers. Incessantly examined the violins of the immortal Stradivari, had opportunities of personally handling the diagrams and tools used by that wondrous creator, humbly but hopefully delved into the secrets and came out of the labyrinth into the sunshine of enlightenment.. Built 500 violins, 10 violas, and 10 'cellos up to year 1926. Some specimens (violins) have realised £60 (1927). Recipient of the highest medals at Exhibitions in Europe and America. Modeling always in the Stradivarian style, but with an individuality not to be merely exact replicas. No inaccuracies or fanciful extravagancies whatsoever either exterior or interior. Exquisite contour which affords a perfect harmonisation of curvature. Artistry infallibly guided his hand in the execution of scrolls and sound-holes. Finely transparent reddish and golden varnishes, the whole applied skillfully."

-William Henley, The Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bowmakers

Plate 1

    This violin was featured in Il Suono di Bologna - The Sound of Bologna Exibition

    "Giuseppe, son of Raffaele, approached violinmaking when he was still pretty young. Aged fifteen made his first violin. Opened his own violin atelier in via Santo Stefano and soon obtained good mentions at various exhibits.

    He won a prize at the Milano Exhibition of 1888, and the same year received the 'Gran medaglia d'oro' at the International Music Exhibition of Bologna. Having married Rieger's daughter, founder of the famous music firm in Munich, he soon left Bologna and quickly well established himself also in Germany, so that he was elected President of German Violin Maker's Association, and then he became the leader at Riegers.

    In 1915 he moved to Zurich and lived there up to 1923, when he came back to Italy, moving to Rome. Unfortunatly starting from 1925 his sight became weaker and weaker up to become almost blind. In 1920 he bought from the Marchesa dalla Valle di Pomaro what remained of Antonio Stradivari's workshop, that is from direct heirs of the count Cozio di Salabue, then he donated the whole quite valuable collection to the City of Cremona.

    Great personality of the international violin world, and innovator of the technical and esthetics aspects of the profession, among his Italian pupils we list Ansaldo Poggi, Paolo Morara, Turcke Bebie, Giuseppe Castagnino, Pietro Messori and Arrigo Tivoli-Fiorini."

    -Notes from  Il Suono di Bologna - The Sound of Bologna Exibition

    Plate 2