A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Landolfi, Carlo

by Edward John Payne

LANDOLFI, Carlo Ferdinando (landulphus), a reputable violin-maker of Milan, where he lived in the Street of St. Margaret, 1750–1760. He lived in an age when it had become expedient to copy rather than to invent. He occasionally copied Joseph Guarnerius so cleverly as to deceive experienced judges: and many of his works consequently cut a figure in the world even above their high intrinsic merits. Landolfi's patterns, in the midst of much excellence, exhibit that occasional faltering which too surely betrays the copyist; and his varnish is less solid, and possesses more of the quality known as 'sugariness,' than the makers of the golden age. Often it is thin and hard, especially when yellow in colour. Many red instruments however exist, which are covered with a highly transparent varnish: and these are the favourites. The Landolfi violoncellos are especially striking in quality and appearance, and are in greater demand than the violins. Good specimens realise from 30 to 50: common and undersized ones may be bought cheaper.

[ E. J. P. ]