A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Testore

by Edward John Payne

TESTORE, a family of violin-makers at Milan in the first half of the 18th century, consisting of a father, Carlo Giuseppe (1690–1715), and two sons, Carlo Antonio and Paolo Antonio (1715–1745). Carlo Giuseppe was the best of the three. His instruments have often passed for the work of his master, Giovanni Grancino. In 1884 the well-known violoncello called the 'Lindley Grancino' being under repair, the removal of its spurious Cremona label revealed the fact that it is the work of the old Testore, the original label, which was found well preserved, running thus: 'Carlo Giuseppe Testore allievo di Gio. Granzino in Contrada Larga di Milano, 1690.'^[1] Sig. Bottesini's famous double-bass is another well-known specimen of the old Testore's work. His instruments are strongly made, and often irregular in design. The model is generally of medium height, and the finish varies considerably, many being left very rough, and extremely plain in appearance. The tone, however, is usually good, and in exceptional cases very powerful and telling. The varnish, a brownish-yellow, sparingly applied, adds little to the attractions of these instruments, and vigorous hands are necessary to develop their tone. The instruments of the sons are less esteemed: they are lighter in colour, and a tendency to imitate Joseph Guarnerius is observable. The Testores worked at the sign of the Eagle in the same narrow street where the Grancinos worked at the sign of the Crown. Alberti, Landolfi, Tanegia, Mantegazza, Giuseppe Guadagnini, Mezzadri, Lavazza, and others, complete the group of Milanese makers who followed the Testores in general plainness of style, aiming at producing instruments rather useful and lasting than ornamental.

[ E. J. P. ]

1. Communicated by Messrs. W. E. Hill and Sons.