Giuseppe Pedrazzini was born on 13 January 1879 in Pizzighetone, Cremona province. When he was young, he started working with wood with his father, who was a cabinet maker. In 1903, he moved to Milan, where he developed an interest in becoming a lutist by working with Romeo Antoniazzi on the restoration of some instruments. Later on, he opened his own workshop, thanks to which he was awarded many prizes, including the golden medal at the Luthier National Competition, held in Rome in 1920. He also exhibited his works at the International Fair of Cremona, held in 1937. He created a number of instruments, mainly inspired by the models of Stradivari, G.B. Guadagnini and Amati, but freely interpreted. He was a talented business man and expert in ancient instruments. The largest part of his production was sold abroad, especially in England, where he established a close cooperation with the company Boosey & Hawkes. Besides modern instruments, he also specialized in making excellent antiqued copies of old instruments. Among his students and collaborators: F. Garimberti, P. Paravicini and N. Novelli (his nephew). |
