Violin by Giuseppe Rocca, Turin, 1845
About Giuseppe Rocca
One of the finest of the nineteenth century makers, Giuseppe Rocca was born in Piedmont in 1807 and moved to Turin in 1834 to serve as an apprentice to Giovanni Francesco Pressenda. The four years he spent in the Pressenda workshop surely taught him all about Turinese perfection and panache: it's hard to imagine a better place to learn violin making at the time! By 1838, Rocca was making violins on his own, moving gradually away from his former master's design as he developed his own style into the 1840s.
Around this time came a career changing moment when he met Luigi Tarisio and even more importantly, his collection of violins. Tarisio was at that time the most important violin collector in the world: in 1828 he had managed to acquire the cream of Count Cozio's collection, some of which had been bought from Stradivari's descendants. Evidently two violins in particular made a special impression on Rocca, the stunning 'Alard' del Gesu of 1742, and the even more stunning 'le Messie' Stradivari of 1716, probably the most important and famous violin in existence. Both of these instruments now reside behind glass, one in Paris and the other in Oxford - a testament to the incredible pair of instruments on which Rocca chose to base his career as a luthier. Interestingly, when Tarisio died, the maker and dealer J.B. Vuillaume rushed to Italy to acquire the collection and found the two instruments nestled together in a double case, or so the story goes.
Rocca's personal life was overshadowed by debt, alcohol and grief: somehow despite the many challenges he faced, he was able to create instruments of such breathtaking beauty that his work deserves its place alongside that of the two makers he so admired.
About the violin
This violin was made in Turin in 1845 and is modelled after the 'Messiah' Stradivari.
Unlike its famous inspiration, this violin has a one piece back. The back is one piece of quarter-sawn maple with ribs and scroll to match. The two piece front is of fine-grained spruce which widens towards the flanks and the varnish is a sumptuous orange-brown in colour.
The violin has a length of back of 356 mm.
How does it sound?
This is a muscular, powerful violin with a soloistic voice. The lower register has lots of warmth and darkness, becoming more silvery towards the upper. The violin has laser beam projection and demands that the player brings their best game!
Condition
The violin is in very good condition with extremely well-executed repairs. It is original in all its principal parts and the varnish is exceptionally well preserved. The violin comes with a full condition and thickness report.
Certification
The violin comes with the 1963 certificate of W.E. Hill & Sons, as well as historic paperwork from the previous owner.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this fine Italian violin by Giuseppe Rocca for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.