Venetian violin craftsmanship is known for its tradition of creating and restoring violins, violas, cellos, and contrabasses.
Cremona violin is a traditional form of handicraft, which has been made since the 16th century in Cremona (Italy).
In Cremona, there is an ancient tradition of violin making, which is protected by two supervisory bodies. The Stradivari Violin Makers Consortium and the Italian Violin Making Association represent approximately 140 craftsmen. Additionally, on September 12, 1938, the Cremona International Violin Making School (Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria di Cremona) was founded.
A handmade violin is assembled from more than seventy different molded pieces of wood. It takes a specific technique to produce a new violin, and every technique is adjusted continually depending on the different acoustic responses of each piece of wood. Each piece is unique, which is why no two violins are exactly identical.
There should be a specific type of wood used for each part of the violin, which is carefully selected and naturally seasoned. Due to the unique qualities of each piece of wood and the care required for each process, industrialization is not possible.
Traditional Cremonese luthiers use no industrial or semi-industrial parts in their creations, and violins are varnished by hand, not sprayed. Many of the ornamental parts of the instruments serve an invisible purpose, such as enhancing projection, and tone, or protecting the violin from sustaining damage.
It takes a high level of creativity to be a master craftsperson: the craftsperson must adapt general rules and personal knowledge to each instrument. To understand the needs of musicians, Cremonese violin-makers consider collaboration with them essential at all stages of their craft. This involves sharing their knowledge and listening to their feedback.
Traditionally, a violinmaker must be knowledgeable about the natural materials used in creating instruments, as well as the techniques that have been passed down through words, gestures, and habits since the Cremona violin making became popular in the 16th century.
Since Association Liutaria Italiana and Consorzio Liutai Antonio Stradivari promote traditional violin-making in Cremona, the art is considered fundamental to the identity of the city and its citizens and plays a significant role in social and cultural practices, rituals, and events held in Cremona.
As a way to protect the tradition, Cremona's new Museo del Violino (Violin Museum) opened in 2013 after it was designated by UNESCO. The museum was fully renovated and equipped with a new auditorium for listening to music played with old and new instruments made in Cremona.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/traditional-violin-craftsmanship-in-cremona-00719) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_violin_craftsmanship_in_Cremona)