Medici tenor viola

The Medici tenor viola is a notable tenor viola by Antonio Stradivari. It is part of a set of instruments by this luthier which belonged to the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.[1][2]

History

The instrument was made in Cremona in 1690, and so far as is known, it has remained in Tuscany since it was delivered to the Medici court. The ruler at the time was Cosimo III de' Medici, but it was his son, Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, who was known for his patronage of music.

It is in exceptional condition, which probably indicates that there has been relatively little demand to play an instrument of this type. Tenor violas have become obsolete, whereas alto has become the standard voicing for violas since Stradivari's time. There were originally two violas in the Medici set, the other being an alto: the two instruments appear to have become separated in the late 18th century.

Since the 19th century the tenor viola has belonged to Florence's conservatory, the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini, which acquired a collection of musical instruments from the time of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In an inventory made by the conservatory in 1863 the instrument was given a value of only £1,000, whereas the cello from the same set was valued at £7,000.[3]

Construction and appearance

The instrument has a two-piece back made from maple and the belly is of spruce.[3] It is decorated with the Medici crest in mother-of-pearl on the fingerboard and a cupid on the tailpiece.[3]

Access

The tenor viola is on display in the Museo degli strumenti musicali, accessed via the Galleria dell'Accademia,[4][5] which is best known as the home of Michelangelo's David.

See also

The set of instruments in Madrid known as the Stradivarius Palatinos originally included a tenor viola.

References
  1. "Medici, Tuscan (viola 41401)". Cozio Archive. Retrieved 5 December 2020. (subscription required)
  2. Barabaschi, A (November 2015). "Stradivari's Medici Quintet, part I". Cozio Archive. (subscription required)
  3. Barabaschi, A (December 2015). "Stradivari's Medici Quintet, part 2". Retrieved 2020-12-06. (subscription required)
  4. "Music". Galleria dell'Accademia.
  5. "Musical Instruments Museum". Accademia.org.
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