Carlo Bergonzi - Symposium
In the afternoon of September 29, two lectures will introduce Carlo Bergonzi in the context of the Cremonese instrument making of the first half of the 18th century

The great tradition of classical Cremoneseinstrument making is symbolically over withCarlo Bergonzi’s demise. He was the lastinstrument maker trained in the workshopsof Cremona at the beginning of the 18th century,though it is not yet possible to completelyunderstand who were his direct teachers:archive documents reveal that the Bergonzifamily had good relationships with VincenzoRuggeri, but Carlo’s instruments featuretechnical and style-specific characteristicsthat make them closer also to the Stradivari’sand Guarneri’s. What is certain is that Bergonzicreated top quality instruments, excellentboth from the craftmanship viewpoint andfor their extraordinary acoustic features.He was a very capable instrument maker deeplyobserving and absorbing Stradivari’s andGuarneri del Gesù’s traits, replicating whathe thought of interest yet still maintaininghis own style.

Symposium
It is o nly because his instruments are sorare that he was not extensively studiedand renowned. This is why the proposal fora symposium dedicated to his work, whichwill take place in the two days immediatelypreceding the inauguration of Mondomusicafair, is so important.
In the afternoon of September 29, two lectureswill introduce Carlo Bergonzi in the contextof the Cremonese instrument making of thefirst half of the 18th century. A panel discussionwill follow as well as an audition of someof the violins o n display. The second dayof the conference - Thursday, September 30- will include technical reports o n the styleand personality of Carlo Bergonzi’s work.
A second round table will conclude the symposium.Some of the world’s most renowned violinexperts are expected to participate, manyof them having dedicated special attentionto Bergonzi. Among these: Christopher Reuning,John Becker, John Dilworth, Duane Rosengard,Andreas Post, James Warren, Eric Blot, RogerHargrave, Hieronymus Koestler and Carlo Chiesa.The objective of this symposium is to providethe opportunity to share a state of the artknowledge o n Bergonzi, at the end of a longwork of preparation for this celebrationof Carlo Bergonzi. Our wish is that Bergonzi’swork will start leaving a positive and deepmark to contemporary violin makers.

SYMPOSIUM

“Carlo Bergonzi: a Cremonese Master Unveiled”

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Wednesday September 29th
Eric Blot, Chairman
2:30-2:40 Welcome Paolo Bodini
2:40-3:20 Violin making in Cremona at the time of Bergonzi: Carlo Chiesa
3:20-4:00 Biographical introduction to theBergonzi family: Duane Rosengard
4:00-4:15 break
4:15-4:45 Pictorial tour of the collection:Christopher Reuning
4:45-5:45 Panel discussion: moderator: CarloChiesa, panelists: Peter.Beare, Eric Blot,Roger Hargrave, Christopher Reuning, DuaneRosengard, James Warren

06:00p.m. The Bergonzi Violins in concert:recital and audition with Mayu Kishima, graduatedat the Queen Elisabeth International ViolinCompetition, Brussels, 2009

8:00 Typical cremonese Dinner

Thursday September 30th
Carlo Chiesa, Chairman
9:00-9.45 Technical review: John Becker
9.45-10:30 Bergonzi in context: John Dilworth
10:30-10:45 break
10:45-11:15 Forms: Duane Rosengard, SilvioLevaggi
11:15-12:30 Panel discussion: moderator:Christopher Reuning, panelists: John Becker,John Dilworth, Hieronymus Koestler, AndreasPost, Duane Rosengard

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Symposium registration and subscription to all concerts: € 50.00 Full.
(subscription provides access to the Museum througout the exibition period)