Who is BIZZI ?
Our company, founded in 1975, has specialized from the very beginning
in the production and restoration of historical musical instruments. After
many years of rich experiences and considerable investments in structure,
R&D and market surveys, BIZZI has developped a new idea that in the
last few years has placed the company in a significant position among
the most qualified manufacturers of historical keyboard instruments.
Some prestigious initiatives, carried out in the years 70s and 80s, like
the restoration of the Collections of the Museo del Teatro alla Scala
in Milan and the Museo Correr in Venice, as well as the foundation of
the Scuola di Liuteria of Milan, have allowed Bizzi to acquire the indispensable
know-how and background for the launch a new project which would have
required about ten years before being completed.
The goal was the establishment of a new company based on the same manufacturing
principles of the greatest harpsichord makers of the past, and particularly
the Ruckers dinasty, which is a unique example of high quality combined
with great efficiency and incredible productivity.
This project was started in the early 90s with the idea of reproducing
the historical manufacturing system of the Ruckers family, based on a
perfect organization of all the craftwork activities required by the harpsichord
construction.
While the respect of the fundamental design and making cryteria of the
old Masters was essential, at the same time we decided not to give up
all the advantages of a modern company, especially in regards to the possibilities
given by the research in the fields of the sound, structure controls and
metallurgic investigation.
In other words, instead of just copying some of the beautiful Ruckers
harpsichords, we found that the great challenge could rather be copying
the perfect Ruckers manufacturing structure, aiming at getting as close
as possible to some of their results. What came out after many years of
hard work would be too long to explain but can probably be summarized
in our production numbers, which have grown from 12 to 75 harpsichords
per year, entirely built by our artisans and sold in 38 different Countries.
One of the reasons of this rapid growth certainly lies in the efficiency
of our system, which offers high quality, competitive prices, together
with good delivery times. We are convinced that these three conditions,
normally necessary for any good business, were also the strong points
of the Ruckers system, if we want to explain how they could produce more
than one instrument per week, in a town with a population of 80.000, without
forgetting that this was nearly four centuries ago !
We also would like to add that this type of small and flexible structures
is rather typical in Italy, where we count thousends of the so-called
family companies, based on the principle of subcontracting accessories
parts to specialized makers and well known for their good efficiency.
Just a quick note about our founder, Mr. Guido Bizzi: after achieving
a PhD degree in mechanical engineering at Turin Polytechnic, he decided
to concentrate on both the artistic and managerial fields.
On the musical side he specialised in baroque singing and played different
kinds of renaissance instruments, mainly manufactured by himself. His
renaissance ensemble had a short but interesting concert career in Italy
and abroad, achieving good reviews from world-renowned critics.
As an entrepreneur, he met in the early 70s the person who would become
his best friend and founded together a company manufacturing wire drawing
plants for the production of steel wires and cables. The firm is still
among the leading companies worldwide in this field of activity.
His profound knowledge of the process of wire drawing, including the
so called music wire, together with the corresponding artistic and entrepreneurial
experience, led him to decide to leave his former industrial activity
and concentrate in the fascinating project of reproducing the Ruckers
manufacturing system.
His wife Luisa plays a fundamental role in the management of the firm;
she has experience as job consultant and was managing director in an important
carpentry firm. Their sons, Vittorio and Lorenzo, although still students,
already make a significant contribution to the running of the company.
Construction Principles
Italy is a Country with extraordinary traditions in Art and Handicraft
represented today by thousands of small firms highly specialised in their
own fields. From among this intriguing milieu we have selected more than
30 handicraft firms and in many years of exciting work together, they
have understood all our technical and artistic needs.
Therefore, from sand casting of bronze to hand carved legs or all various
styles of decoration, we have managed to obtain extraordinary quality
from people who are still handing down traditional techniques from one
generation to another. By working according to these principles we can
always acquire materials with the best natural seasoning and the highest
possible quality workmanship.
Of course, the very manufacture of the harpsichord is always done in
our workshop where we follow the principle of expertise: everyone of our
harpsichord-makers works almost exclusively with the type of instrument
he knows best.
This principle of expertise enhances the highest professional abilities
of each person, representing also one of the pillars on which our future
development prospects are based.
Quality - Price Ratio
The ratio of quality to price undoubtedly accounts for our achievements
and explains in part why more and more customers are choosing our instruments.
Indeed, we can offer a quality suitable for the most demanding professionals
at prices considerably less than those of the most qualified harpsichord
makers.
This is the result of a Ruckers-type manufacturing system.
To all of those who are suspicious of prices which are apparently “too
low”, we would ask to investigate the matter in detail.
For example, by making a simple visit to us and to other makers, in order
to understand what the manufacture of a harpsichord involves and thus
discover the various advantages a firm like ours can offer in terms of
quality, good prices and delivery times.
... A personal advice?
In the fascinating world of the harpsichord, the choice of your own instrument
is an important step but very often also a difficult one due to the variety
and very different prices offered by the market. How can you find your
way?
Since a harpsichord always reveal the background, the culture and the
style of its maker, my first suggestion, for such an important decision,
is not merely to investigate the catalogues, but try to understand what
lies behind their beautiful pictures and get to know the people behind
them and learn about their past history, way of working and future plans.
Try to see the advantages and disadvantages between small manufacturers,
who offer sometimes only better prices, and well established companies
which offer the guarantee deriving from a solid and continuous experience
Remember that a chat, an e-mail or a phone call can reveal many things
but don’t hesitate to take a trip, even a long one, to look with
your eyes into this matter, in the deepest possible way.
As far as we are concerned, we have always found that a deep knowledge
of our customers has been a determining factor of our growth and an important
source of enrichment for both them and us.
Thus, we consider that understanding the needs of the harpsichord player
is even more important than the sale itself.
Why BIZZI?
Because Bizzi has re-introduced in harpsichord handcraft manufacturing
the same historical construction principles which were used by the great
masters of the past, and especially by the Ruckers family which, in the
XVII century, was making more than one harpsichord per week.
Because this system combines high craftsmanship and modern management
and has enabled us to sell about 400 craft harpsichord in a few years,
delivered into 34 Countries.
For the style and good taste of many Italian artisans of great tradition
that we have formed in many years of patient work.
Because more and more often good harpsichordists and important institutions
decide to purchase BIZZI instruments or use them in concert.
For the best quality/price ratio in this market. For the good delivery
times, the technical service and for all the attentions we are proud to
offer to our clientelle.
Because the size of our craftsmen entreprise allows us to do the necessary
investments for studies and research on sound and structure stability.
Because our harpsichords are the result of a high technical and management
backgound, combined with an interesting artistic career and a deep experience
in restoration of museums.
And, why not, because our customers very often become also good friends...
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