EXQUISITE STRINGS COLLECTION
CREMONA QUARTET brings together four of the world’s most valuable string instruments. Featuring phase-aligned stereo samples and performance-captured vibrato, plus extensive chromatic sampling of 20 articulations, every quirk and nuance of these historic treasures is now available to producers via a wealth of cutting-edge parameter controls.
WELCOME TO CREMONA
Known as the birthplace of strings, the Italian city of Cremona has a long and special history. Built hundreds of years ago with wood from surrounding forests, each instrument has its own unique personality, and together their sound represents the heart, soul and magic of the region. A collection of four cherished string instruments dating back to the 1600s, CREMONA QUARTET captures and preserves every detail of their rare characteristics.
Phase-aligned velocity crossfades on long articulations allowing for superbly realistic bow changes.
These instruments were made by the finest luthiers in history. With each articulation of every note played by virtuoso performers in Cremona’s Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, and recorded in exceptional detail, their sounds are now immortalised for contemporary productions.
STRADIVARI VIOLIN – ‘VESUVIUS’
Born around 1644, household name Antonio Stradivari is the most famous luthier in the history of violin making. His innovations in proportion and shape set trends that continue to influence the craft today. His ‘Vesuvius’ violin, the leader of our CREMONA QUARTET, was built in 1727 towards the end of the master craftsman’s golden period.
You can also access the sound of Vesuvius in solo form with STRADIVARI VIOLIN.
Stradivari Violin Solo audio demo
STRADIVARI CELLO – ‘STAUFFER’
Though best known for violin making, Stradivari also made other stringed instruments. His ‘Stauffer’ cello, built in 1700, is listed as an Italian national treasure. Completing the quartet with luscious deep tones, it adds weight to the overall sound of the ensemble.
You can also access the sound of Stauffer in solo form with STRADIVARI CELLO.
Stradivari Cello Solo audio demo
GUARNERI VIOLIN – ‘PRINCE DORIA’
Stradivari may be the world’s most famous violin maker, but many of the world’s most prominent players and composers consider Guarneri del Gesù to be the best. The second violin in the quartet is his ‘Prince Doria’, built in 1734.
Guarneri Violin Solo audio demo
AMATI VIOLA – ‘STAUFFER’
A pioneering luthier, Andrea Amati is widely regarded as the inventor of the violin as we know it. His son Gerolamo continued this tradition in the family workshop in Cremona, and built the quartet’s oldest instrument, the ‘Stauffer’ viola, in 1614.
Amati Viola Solo audio demo
AN EXTRAORDINARY RECORDING PROCESS
The sounds of CREMONA QUARTET were captured using a bespoke array of microphones and preamps, placed in a specially designed acoustic environment. Even the local people of Cremona played their part, with all traffic near the auditorium stopped for the duration of the recordings, to ensure that no external noise could interrupt the process.
Situated in the city of Cremona and the home of these precious instruments, the Museo Del Violino enabled the project by allowing the recordings to take place.
ABOUT E-INSTRUMENTS
Responsible for producing SESSION STRINGS and SESSION HORNS, e-instruments specializes in crafting intensely detailed sampled instruments. They launched the CREMONA QUARTET project to digitally preserve these rare and extraordinary sounds for current and future composers and musicians to use in contemporary production contexts. The team captured the uniquely special character of each instrument using the highest-quality recording equipment.
Read more about e-instruments
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.