Viola(41.5cm), Iotti&Vibe, 2025 Parma "Grazia"
Iotti & Vibeは、Pietro IottiとAgnete Vibeによる製作家デュオです。二人は2014年にパルマのヴァイオリン製作学校で出会い、Renato & Elisa Scrollavezza、Andrea Zanrè、Frédéric Noharet、Michele Dobnerらの指導のもとで学びました。在学中から共同で製作を深め、2019年に自身の工房を設立。現在もパルマの製作伝統を背景に、ヴァイオリン、ヴィオラ、チェロを製作しています。
彼らの製作において重視されているのは、古典的なイタリア弦楽器製作の伝統を受け継ぎながら、それを単に再現するのではなく、現代の演奏家に求められる音響性能と演奏性へと結びつけることです。製作工程では音響的な要素を細かく検討し、力強さと弾きやすさの両立を重要なテーマとしています。
本作 “Grazia” は2025年に完成した、G.B. Guadagniniの “Vieuxtemps” viola に着想を得たモデルです。
歴史的なモデルへの敬意を保ちながら、現代のヴィオラ奏者に必要とされる演奏性、音響的な力強さ、表現の幅を意識して製作されています。
裏板には美しい杢を持つバルカン・メイプルを使用。光の角度によって細かな杢が波打つように現れ、その表情をアンティーク仕上げのニスがさらに引き立てています。
深みのある赤褐色からアンバーへと変化するニスには意図的な摩耗表現が加えられ、新作でありながら長い年月を経た楽器を思わせる落ち着いた表情を備えています。
Guadagniniの影響は細部にも見ることができます。
力強いスクロール、オリジナルモデルを意識してフルーティングを施さず仕上げられたf字孔と特徴的な楕円形のアイ、開放的なC-bout、そして豊かなボディプロポーション。
歴史的モデルの特徴を尊重しながら、現代の製作家による一挺としてまとめられています。
そして、特にご紹介したいのが音響面での完成度です。
41.5cmという十分なボディサイズを持ちながら、単に大きな音を求めたヴィオラではなく、各弦のバランス、レスポンス、音の密度、そして演奏者の入力に対する表現の幅を感じさせる一本です。
実際に当店でも複数の奏者に演奏していただいていますが、ヴィオラ奏者・須田祥子氏に試奏いただいた際にも、特にその音について非常に高い評価をいただきました。
演奏する楽器としてぜひ実際に体験していただきたいヴィオラと考えています。
音量や音色だけでなく、奏者自身が楽器からどのような反応を引き出せるか――ぜひ店頭でお確かめください。
Iotti & Vibe “Grazia”
Parma, 2025 — Viola / 41.5 cm
“Grazia” is a contemporary Italian viola by Iotti & Vibe, based in Parma, inspired by one of the celebrated violas of G.B. Guadagnini.
Iotti & Vibe is the partnership of violin makers Pietro Iotti and Agnete Vibe. The two met at the Violin Making School of Parma in 2014, where they studied under makers including Renato & Elisa Scrollavezza, Andrea Zanrè, Frédéric Noharet and Michele Dobner. After developing their work together during their years of study, they established their professional workshop in 2019 and today produce a limited number of violins, violas and cellos in the Parma tradition. I
Central to their approach is the continuation of classical Italian violin-making traditions while developing instruments for the acoustic and practical requirements of today's musicians. Particular attention is given throughout the making process to acoustic performance, with power and playing comfort among their principal considerations.
Completed in 2025, “Grazia” was conceived as a tribute to the celebrated G.B. Guadagnini “Vieuxtemps” viola.
The instrument has a body length of 41.5 cm, combining respect for its historical inspiration with the requirements of the contemporary violist.
The back is made from beautifully figured Balkan maple, whose rippling figure changes noticeably with the direction of the light.
Its antique-style varnish combines warm red, amber and umber tones, with carefully introduced wear revealing the texture of the wood beneath and giving the instrument the visual character of a viola that has matured over time.
The influence of Guadagnini is also evident in its construction and stylistic details: a bold scroll, unfluted f-holes with distinctive oval eyes derived from the original model, open C-bouts and generous body proportions.
Rather than functioning simply as a reproduction, these historical elements have been brought together in a contemporary instrument made for today's player.
One of the most compelling aspects of this particular “Grazia” is its acoustic character.
Despite its substantial 41.5 cm body length, the instrument is not conceived merely around volume. Of particular interest are its balance across the strings, responsiveness, tonal substance and the range of expression available to the player.
The viola has been played by several musicians at our shop, and when violist Sachiko Suda had the opportunity to play this particular instrument, she spoke especially highly of its sound.
This should be understood as an impression of this individual “Grazia”, rather than a general assessment of all instruments by the makers. From our own experience with the viola, however, we likewise feel that its musical qualities deserve to be experienced in person.
Beyond its craftsmanship, historical inspiration and distinctive appearance, “Grazia” is first and foremost a viola to be played.
We warmly invite players to experience its response and character for themselves.
