Cremona violins: quintessence of Italian violin making
Corilon's Cremona violin collection - certified Cremona violins for sale at affordable prices
What is a Cremona violin?
A Cremona violin, also known as a Cremonese violin, is an Italian violin originating from Cremona. By definition a Cremona violin does not necessarily have to be made by an Italian-born luthier or an Italian citizen. What matters is that the violin was constructed, at least in its essential parts, in Cremona and crafted according to the Cremonese violin-making tradition. The U.S. brand name "Cremona Violins" distributes violins, violas, and cellos that were not made in Cremona. Discover interesting Cremona violins for sale in Corilon's Cremona violin collection that satisfy the utmost musical standard.
Beyond its geographic origin, a Cremona violin is characterized by its adherence to the principles of craftsmanship established during the golden age of Italian violin making, particularly by masters such as Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri, and Andrea Amati. These instruments are distinguished by their meticulous construction, use of high-quality tonewoods, and the application of traditional varnishing techniques that contribute to their unique acoustic properties. Modern Cremona violins are often subject to rigorous certification standards and are typically crafted in workshops or schools that preserve the legacy of the Cremonese method, blending centuries-old expertise with contemporary precision.
A hallmark of Cremona violins is the distinctive amber-hued oil-based varnish, applied in multiple thin layers to enhance resonance and visual depth. Acoustically, they are renowned for a warm, rich tone, strong projection, and exceptional responsiveness, making them prized by soloists and orchestral players alike. These features are not merely stylistic, but reflect centuries of iterative refinement rooted in the Cremonese tradition.
Cremona violins: crafted at the highest possible benchmarks
Cremonese violins established the gold standard in Italian violin making from early on. Ever since Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù first created the violin models in Cremona we still use to this day, Cremona has been synonymous with the violin – and the violin with Cremona. The quality, innovation and relevance of other traditions in musical history cannot be denied in any way, yet they are not as weighty in their influence as the heritage represented by violins from Cremona. Cremonese violins make the history of Italian violins come alive in our time.
Historic Cremonese violins from the era of Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri reflect where the development of these instruments found their historic zenith. Today, luthiers all over the world honour this legacy, one which the violin-making school in Cremona also carries forth as it trains new generations. Many young Cremona violin makers go on to refine their art in the contemporary master workshops in Cremona where today's Cremona violins are crafted at the highest possible benchmarks. Each Cremona violin we have for sale is certified and authentic and meets the high standards of this great tradition.
Among the contemporary Cremona violin workshops, the Officina Mauro Lucini deserves special attention. It is dedicated to building beautiful-sounding yet affordable Cremonese violins. Their violins incorporate generations of knowledge about the craftsmanship required to create the best violin sound, combined with the latest violin-making techniques.
Buy Cremona violins locally and online
If you want to buy violins from Cremona, you don't necessarily have to travel to Italy, even though the historic old town of Cremona, with its pretty streets, impressive squares, and monuments of Italian Baroque architecture, is definitely worth a visit. However, if you don't have the time, money or opportunity to do so, you will find a diverse collection of old and new Cremona violins from interesting master and workshops in our online collection of violins from Cremona.
Cremona violins for sale, all made by Italian luthiers
Our curated selection of affordable up to the finest Cremonese violins for sale, all made by Italian luthiers living and working in Cremona, allows you to discover interesting old and new Cremona violins that meet the highest musical demands and traces the history of Cremona violins up to the present day. Buy original Cremona violins with confidence locally or online at Corilon - at best prices, with a certificate, guarantee of authenticity, a 30 day returns option and a free worldwide shipping offer.
Cremona violins – masterful violins from the world capital of violin making
Cremona violins are the definition of the violin: where historical masters such as Antonio Stradivari, Nicola Amati, and Guarneri del Gesù once set the standards by which violins have been made worldwide ever since, violins of unique beauty and musical excellence are still being made today.
Buying Cremona violins
You can buy Cremona violins in one of the many small workshops that are still located in the winding alleys of Cremona today. But if you don't have the opportunity to travel to Cremona, you can also find detailed information about Cremona violins online:
- What aesthetic and musical priorities do today's masters set for their Cremona violins?
- What is known about the history of these extraordinary instruments, who were the historical creators of Cremona violins?
- How can I recognize genuine Cremona violins?
Cremona violins for sale online
Corilon violins offers reliable conditions for buying Cremona violins online. With our own workshop in Piazza San Michele, we are located in the heart of Italian violin making and are well connected in the local violin making scene.
In our selection of Cremona violins, you will find:
- affordable Cremona violins with attractive appearance and excellent sound and playing characteristics,
- contemporary Cremona master violins
- historic Cremona violins and collectibles of lasting value that meet the highest musical standards and are also interesting investment objects.
We offer a reliable environment for your purchase of a Cremona violin:
- Corilon's local Cremona violin store in via Manzoni in Cremona
- with detailed, high-resolution photographs,
- informative descriptions,
- certificates from renowned experts,
- a 30-day return policy,
- Corilon trade-in guarantee, and
- free worldwide shipping.
What is a Cremona violin?
The term “Cremona violins” often refers to historical string instruments from Cremona – the city in Italy where famous violin makers such as Antonio Stradivari, Nicola Amati, and Guarneri del Gesù worked. In addition, Cremona violins are also instruments built in the classical style of the old masters of Cremona. Last but not least, Cremona violins are handmade masterpieces crafted by skilled violin makers – known as liutai in Italian – in small workshops in the heart of Cremona's old town. As the term “Cremona violin” is not legally protected, those interested in purchasing a Cremona violin should look for reliable certificates and other proof of origin.
What are the advantages of Cremona violins?
Cremona violins are famous for the special quality of their sound, which is warm, balanced, and has a powerful resonance, but also has that special quality that is difficult to describe in words. Genuine Cremona violins are made from hand-selected, top-quality tonewoods. Antonio Stradivari himself wandered through the forests of northern Italy to select the best trees for building his famous instruments – the original Cremona violins.
Cremona violins are characterized by the consummate art of varnishing. As a rule, violin makers in Cremona use oil-based varnishes that they produce according to their own recipes. The composition of the varnish and its application not only influence the aesthetics of the instrument. Since the days of Antonio Stradivari, varnish has been an important part of the secret behind the sound of genuine Cremona violins.
Genuine Cremona violins are investments of lasting value: master violins from Cremona with labels and signatures of renowned Cremona violin makers have excellent resale value. This is all the more true as the musical quality of good Cremona violins increases over time and the mature sound of old Cremona violins is rightly world-famous.
Why should I buy a Cremona violin?
There are many good reasons to choose Cremona violins over other instruments:
- The particularly high quality of craftsmanship of Cremona violins: Cremona is rightly considered the most important center of this art. Cremona violins are made in a place where the best craftsmen devote themselves with individual dedication to maintaining their venerable tradition.
- The stable value of Cremona violins: Italian violin making enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, but violins from Cremona are also very often collector's items with a stable, and often increasing, long-term value. This applies to both historical Cremona violins and new instruments: in the select violin-making scene of Cremona, you can already discover the sought-after artists of tomorrow.
- The musical versatility of Cremona violins: From student violins to first-class concert instruments for soloists, true Cremona violins are characterized by their outstanding playing characteristics and their unmistakable, enchanting sound. They accompany musicians throughout their entire lives, through all concert situations and in the literature of all genres.
Where can I find affordable Cremona violins?
Cremona violins do not have to be unaffordable: in the city's lively violin-making scene, there are workshops that use modern methods and offer Cremona violins with the sought-after tonal qualities at affordable prices. These experts also make no compromises when it comes to the varnishing of Cremona violins, which is so important for the ear and the eye.
Corilon violins offers a carefully curated selection of recommended Cremona violins, including historical instruments for soloists and collectors, new works by renowned contemporary violin makers, and affordable Cremona violins with an unrivalled price-performance ratio.
How much do Cremona violins cost?
In general, the price level for authentic Cremona violins is slightly higher than for instruments of other origins – a justified surcharge that reflects their special character and their high musical, aesthetic, and craftsmanship quality. Nevertheless, even good Cremona violins do not have to be unaffordable.
- Cremona violins for students, discerning amateurs, and as a second instrument for professional musicians are available in the price range of approximately €3,500–6,500, for example from the Officina Mauro Lucini.
- High-quality Cremona violins – e.g., workshop instruments from Cremona violin makers – usually cost between €10,000 and €12,000.
- New Cremona master violins are generally not available for less than €15,000.
- Old Cremona violins with a verified regional origin but without proof of their maker usually cost between €12,000 and €20,000.
- Historical masterpieces from Cremona by renowned figures in the history of violin making are also objects of speculation and have very different prices, often in the millions, which are also rising continuously.
Cremona violin FAQ
What is so special about a Cremona violin?
Cremona violins are very good Italian violins that are characterized by particularly high-quality craftsmanship, an attractive appearance, above-average playing characteristics, and a distinctive, characterful sound.
Why are Cremona violins better than other violins?
First of all, there are of course very good violins outside of Cremona. However, the violin-making tradition of Cremona is one of the oldest and best in the world. Since today there is an excellent local violin-making scene dedicated to its preservation and maintenance, Cremona violins continue to enjoy an excellent reputation.
Are there also affordable Cremona violins?
Yes, there are Cremona violins that offer the advantages of these instruments at affordable prices: tasteful, beautiful aesthetics, high-quality finishes, and, above all, playing and sound qualities far above their respective price range. Even if there are cheaper violins available elsewhere, it is worth buying affordable Cremona violins, as you get much more music for your money.
How can I recognize a genuine Cremona violin?
Cremona violins from one of the well-established Cremona workshops are instruments with a reliable provenance, which is often documented by the workshop's own certificates, violin labels, and stamps. For older Cremona violins or instruments without such documentation, renowned experts issue expert opinions and certificates, which are often included in the sale of such violins.
