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Marino Capicchioni (1895~1977) was born in San Marino and is one of the leading modern Italian violin makers, whose success flourished during the mid-late 20th century. At the age of 19, Capicchioni apprenticed in a guitar factory in France for a year, but soon returned to his homeland, where he took up violin making getting influences from the makers at the time, and settled in Remini in 1929. It is a common knowledge that he went on to win the praise of many at exhibitions in Cremona, Rome, Padua, and Ascoli.
Capicchioni's works can be divided into three eras, first of which can be referred to his 20s-30s, when although his works displayed excellent techniques and studied precision, they were quite pedantic and impersonal.
In his 40s, ‘the second era’, Capicchioni's styles and models evolved and produced instruments that were incomparably superior to his earlier works. Most of his works during this time were antique finish and especially the ones made during the war in the early 1940s show his artistry, showcasing colourful tone qualities with deep lower register and unique overtones. The instrument being introduced here is from this era, made in 1943.
During his final era in his 50s, Capicchioni produced works that were more mature and stable. They were classical model at times and were other times inspired by the famous violist Lionel Tertis, but his style became very personal and he chose excellent materials especially during his ‘Golden Age’, 1950s-60s. Edges are wider in the backs and although the tops are very regular, he liked to emphasise its grains. The archings are perfect and his grounding and varnish from this period are so special and unique, that they make it easy to distinguish them from the others. The instrument made in 1955, being introduced here, is the finest example of his works from the Golden Age. From 1960, Capicchioni started to produce Giuseppe Guarneri 'del Gesù models, which are also known for their powerful and original tone qualities and are very much favoured by musicians.
Capicchioni's works from the 1970s start to show his son Mario's touches. The works that father and son collaborated together not only demonstrate Marino's passion to pass down everything that he has acquired throughout his career, but display high quality, drama and power. The viola made in 1974, being introduced here, is in fact a fine example of a collaborative work by Marino and Mario, and its materials are of excellent quality as well. However, it also needs to be pointed out that there are works with Mario's help that are quite poor in quality.
When Capicchioni passed away in 1977, Mario continued to work on his own and was producing fine works by the 1980s. Some of his works during this period are so fine that it can be quite difficult to distinguish them from that of his father's, but their works not only differ in their details and finish, but also in its spirituality and depths that the instruments possess. The cello being introduced here is made by Mario during this period in 1984.
Marino Capicchioni's works are known for their excellent sound quality and were performed by renowned soloists, such as Menuhin, Oistrakh, Accardo, Ayo, Tertis, Carmirelli, Rostropovich, Rossi and Janigro.
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Verus String Quartet
Verus String Quartet is recognized as one of the most sought-after and promising young string quartets born in Japan today. Founded by students of TOHO Gakuen School of Music in 2006. Verus String Quartet performed in various series and festivals in Japan such as Karuizawa Arts Festival, Miyazaki International Festival, Project Q, and Ensemble Series by JT Art Hall.
Verus String Quartet won the 3rd prize at the ARD International Music Competition Munich in 2008, and it was the prize that a Japanese quartet has ever received since Tokyo String Quartet won the first prize 38 years ago. In 2009, the quartet made the official debut concert supported by Japan Music Foundation at Oji Hall, Tokyo. The quartet studied with Koichio Harada and Tokyo String Quartet.
In spring 2010, Verus String Quartet moved its home base to Basel, Switzerland and studied under Rainer Schmidt, Hagen Quartet at Musik Akademie Basel.
It gradually expanded career in Europe and performed at Festival de théâtre "Chapeau bas lfartiste" in Bonnieux in Southern France, Festivals at Wundern-WestWeg Musik and Scholoss Baugen in Germany, to name a few. In this year, the quartet received Kyoto Aoyama Music Award.
In 2011, Verus String Quartet received gex aequeog prize from Stiftung Basler Orchester-Gesellschaft (BOG), the 3rd prize at Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. In 2008, 2010, 2011, it received special grant from The@Matsuo@Foundation. In 2012, the quartet appeared at Schwetzinger SWR Festspiele in Germany, which was broadcasted on radio by SWR.
After graduation from Musik Academie Basel in 2012, the quartet again moved its home base to Japan from 2013 and appeared at Spring Festival in Tokyo in April and also performed for the concert featuring Dai Fujikura at Hakuju Hall in Tokyo(String quartet No.2 gFlareh composed in 2010) , which received high critical acclaim. In October, the quartet gave the recital presented by Kioi Hall, Tokyo and received rave reviews.
In 2014/2015 season, the quartet became Resident Artist of Hakuju Hall in Tokyo and had its own series (3 concerts per season).
Verus String Quartet performed also with Menahem Pressler, the founder of Beaux-Arts Trio, Richard Stolzman, Paul Meyer and other major artists.
Verus String Quartet โ http://verusquartet.net/
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