Lot 116 - Property of a Musician: A Very Fine Italian Viola by Pietro Sgarabotto, Parma 1951 - 13th

Zoom

Lot 116: Property of a Musician: A Very Fine Italian Viola by Pietro Sgarabotto, Parma 1951

Estimates

£30,000 - £40,000

VAT & Import Tax

** 20% buyers premium & 20% hammer price

Instrument Video

Label

Labelled: Petrus Sgarabotto Mediolani fecit Parmae Anno Domini 1951
Inscribed on the label: Cristina (Santa) S.P.
Signed to the upper block: Sgarabotto P. Parma 1951

Certificate

Sold with the certificate of the maker

Maker

By Pietro Sgarabotto

Dimensions

Length of back: 421mm.

Condition

Good condition. *

Footnotes

This viola was bought directly from Pietro Sgarabotto and has remained in the current owner's family since then. This instrument was previously owned by both Giuseppe and Giuliano Alessandri. Giuseppe commenced studies with Lodovico Mantovani at the Parma Conservatory, continuing with Mario Corti, graduating in 1904 in violin and viola as winner of the Barbacini and Campanini prizes. He immediately began his activity, playing viola in the orchestra and in the Rome Quartet. During the First World War, he fought in the Bersaglieri, until Toscanini called him to join his military band, with whom he toured extensively. In 1924, he won the competition for the professorship of violin and viola at the Conservatory of Parma, teaching until 1965. He was a member of numerous chamber music ensembles (Quartetto Strub, Quartetto Poltronieri, Doppio Quintetto Italiano, Orchestra da Camera di Salsomaggiore) and also gave solo viola and viola d'amore concerts. Additionally, he was active within orchestras (Teatro Regio and Reinach in Parma, Teatro Regio in Turin, Pomeriggi musicali in Milan). He also published extensively on the subject of violin and viola tuition. Giuliano, Son of Giuseppe, was a pupil of his father at the Parma Conservatory and graduated in viola in 1962. He played in various orchestras, including those of the Teatro Regio di Torino, Arena di Verona, and the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. He was a member of the Nuovo Doppio Quintetto Italiano, Gruppo Strumentale di Bologna, the string ensemble of the Accademia Filarmonica di, and then the Filarmonici del Teatro Comunale di Bologna. He also taught viola at the Conservatory of Ferrara and at the Conservatory of Parma, retiring in 1997.