SAXOPHONES - Catalog of the Italian Saxophone Museum

Description

SAXOPHONES: The Saxophone Museum catalog is now available and for sale.
A prestigious volume, 25x32cm format, 344 High Definition color pages on 150gr. patina paper, cardboard cover and plasticized dust jacket with embossed shiny gold processing set up with paperback file.
Italian and English texts
.
A work that is configured as one of the most important works created in the field of the history of musical instruments and the result of the great work of acquisition, study and research carried out on the instruments kept in the Museum.
A catalog full of photographs, insights and technical-descriptive notations of the various metamorphoses of the instrument that are intertwined with the personal stories of the inventors and musicians who embraced it.
A book of analysis, witness to the great cultural heritage represented by the Berni’s collection which is proud of the prefaces by
Géry Dumoulin
(1)
, director of the wind instruments section of the Museum of Musical Instruments of Brussels and by
Paul Cohen
(2)
, the famous saxophonist and great American music historian.
A work destined to excite musicians as well as simple lovers of the instrument and to arouse the development of new studies and a more lively and significant interest in the culture of wind instruments.
«
Mr. Berni has created a masterpiece of saxophone information. This is a must-have book for any saxophone history enthusiast. I recently received my copy and am completely blown away at the quality and heft of this book. It is a full coffee-table sized book and has nearly 350 pages of information. There is a substantial number of Selmer saxophones in the book, and it does feature a number of other manufacturers as well. Mr Berni has set a stunningly high bar with this book. It is, without a doubt, the most incredible saxophone book yet produced.
»
Douglas Pipher (Selmer historian) July 2022
Excerpts from the prefaces to the catalogue
(1)
«The catalog is a highlight of the importance of the collection of Attilio Berni and the Italian Saxophone Museum. (…) considered as the most representative in the world for the saxophone, the collection will now be even more recognized, thanks to the publication of a precise inventory, notices details and photos of a wide selection of instruments. If the mission of such a book is not strictly speaking to retrace the complete history of the saxophone, it is clear that it will share, in addition to purely technical data, sometimes unpublished information on the models of instruments, on the musicians associated with them, on the makers of instruments, etc. Ultimately, it is the entire evolution of the saxophone, from the original specimens of Adolphe Sax to the most recent developments, which is palpable through such a catalogue. French, American and Italian bills find pride of place here, but those from the rest of the world are also represented in their diversity. Emblematic or special models are of course present, as are special elements, such as mouthpieces or sound toys. In short, more than 180 years after Adolphe Sax's first experiments with the saxophone, we can only welcome an initiative that sheds even more light on the work of this Belgian maker and the evolution of his flagship invention, but also on a truly essential collection.»
Géry Dumoulin February 2022
(2)
«
....
Researching and documenting the evolution of the saxophone is a multi-faceted endeavor combining  sociological, musical and instrumental studies. It is an avenue of discovery offering uncommon depth and awareness.  The Museum of the Saxophone of Fiumicino stands as a pillar of knowledge that encompasses such multi-faceted diverse fields, and the importance of Attilio Berni’s research and astonishing collection can not be overstated.  His work, culminating in the establishment of this world-class museum, is a major contribution to musicology and cultural anthropology.  With a comprehensive array of saxophones from all eras, complete with extensive history and documentation, Berni and the museum provide a unique world class resource for the musician, saxophonist and cultural historian.  The inclusion of  experimental historical specimens or prototypes as well as instruments that belonged to famous musicians, combined with one of the largest collection of instruments and musical objects in the world establishes an unrivaled resource for learning and researching at all levels (...) It is indeed a new treasure for the World.
»
Paul Cohen February, 2022