We are pleased to share here the complete video of the documentary “Violin Makers” (2013), produced by Scrollavezza & Zanrè. The film retraces the history of bowed string instruments in Italy over the last two centuries, interweaving tradition, research, and first-hand accounts from the most authoritative contemporary violin makers. A fascinating journey that begins with the figure of Count Cozio di Salabue, passes through Giuseppe Fiorini and the great season of Leandro Bisiach in Milan, and continues through to the birth of the first modern lutherie schools. Through instruments from the most important Italian collections, rare photographic materials, and archive footage, the documentary tells not only the technical evolution of lutherie, but also the human and cultural value of an art that continues to renew itself while honouring tradition. Directed by Paolo Parmiggiani and Andrea Zanrè, and published by Edizioni Scrollavezza & Zanrè in 2013, Violin Makers is a precious testament for anyone wishing to understand the beating heart of contemporary Italian lutherie. Alberto Giordano appears at the 17:50 mark, with an contribution dedicated to the Genoese tradition and to the bond with Paganini’s “Cannone”.

How is the “Guarneri del Gesù” violin that belonged to Niccolò Paganini prepared before a concert?

In this video, Alberto Giordano, assistant conservator of the celebrated Il Cannone — the extraordinary violin built in 1743 by Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri and once owned by Niccolò Paganini — explains the process.

The preparation of the “Cannone” is not a simple technical check: it is a ritual that combines conservation attentiveness, acoustic sensitivity, and deep historical respect. From checking the string tension to adjusting the bridge, from tuning to a general assessment of the instrument’s condition, every gesture is measured and deliberate.

It is a delicate balance between preservation and functionality: the “Cannone” is a masterpiece of inestimable historical value, yet it is also a living instrument that continues to resonate in concert halls around the world.

Alberto Giordano, a long-standing contributor to ARCHI magazine, takes the audience behind the scenes of this intimate and essential moment, revealing what takes place just before the violin returns to the stage.