Lorenzo Frignani – 2021

Description

Lorenzo Frignani has been interested in plucked and stringed instrument making since the late 1970s. He began his professional career in this field in 1985 and has since received numerous national and international awards. He is the winner of several plucked and stringed instrument-making competitions (Bagnacavallo e Baveno) and has also been a jury member in several competitions (Baveno e Pisogne). As a consultant, he collaborates with museum authorities and music foundations. Lorenzo Frignani is the artistic advisor of the Municipality of Pievi Cento (Bologna).

Besides, he is vice-president of the ‘Associazioni Liuteria Italiana’ (A.L.I.) and was for many years member of the ‘Association des Luthiers et Archetiers pour le Développement de la Facture Instrumentale’ (A.L.A.D.F.I.) in France. He is dedicated not only to the construction of new instruments but also to the restoration of plucked and bowed instruments. He is the author of various publications and catalogs on classical and antique plucked and stringed instruments, which he also collects personally. In 2007 he founded his own publishing house (LF Edizioni) with the intention of translating foreign language literature on plucked and stringed instrument making into Italian.

Lorenzo Frignani found inspiration for this wonderful guitar number 247 in the guitars of David Rubio. Using Rubio’s plantilla and ideal of sound, he adapted the internal construction and opted for a traditional “x-bracing”, the hallmark of Lorenzo Frignani’s guitars. The appearance of this instrument is exceptional with a gold-colored spruce top and long-seasoned dark Indian rosewood back and sides. The mother of pearl dots in the rosette and headstock, along with the many refined marquetry details, make this instrument a true gem.

The sound exhibits a great overall balance, with deep and rich basses. It is well attuned to the richness of tone color but does not compromise the tonal vigor and lightness of playing. The treble sings beautifully and overall the character of this Italian masterpiece is reminiscent of guitars from days long gone, which may be in no small part due to Lorenzo Frignani’s large collection of antique guitars; a unique sonic universe, full of inspiration for a knowledgeable master luthier of his class.