This page describes how the Website is managed with reference to the processing of Personal Data of Users who visit it, pursuant to Italian Legislative Decree 196/2003 (Privacy Code) and EU Regulation 679/2016 (GDPR).

1. Type of data processed

Browsing/usage data

During normal operation, the computer systems and software procedures used to operate this Website acquire certain types of Personal Data, the transmission of which is implicit in the use of Internet communication protocols. This information is not collected for the purpose of associating it with individual users, however it may enable the identification of users due to its nature, through processing and associations with data held by third parties. This data category includes IP addresses or domain names of computers used by users who connect to the website, the URIs (Uniform Resource identifiers) of requested resources, request times, the method used to submit requests to the server, the size of the file obtained in response, the numerical code specifying the status of the response provided by the server (successful, error, etc.) and other parameters pertaining to the operative system and the user’s computer environment.

Data provided voluntarily by the user

The optional, explicit and voluntary sending of emails to addresses indicated on this website entails the successive acquisition of the sender’s address which is required to respond to requests, as well as any other personal data contained in the sender’s correspondence.

Cookies – Read relative information statement.

2. Purposes of processing

The browsing/usage data described in Section 1 above, is used solely for the purpose of obtaining anonymous statistical information on Website use and correct operation. The data could be used for determination of liability in the event of alleged cybercrimes to the website’s detriment.

Personal Data provided voluntarily by Users visiting the Website shall be processed for the following purposes:

3. Legal basis for processing

Personal Data supplied voluntarily by Users shall be processed pursuant to consent provided during Website registration. Technical information strictly necessary for service provision (browsing/usage data) shall be processed since it is required for pursuit of our legitimate interest in optimising the Website and for the purpose of improving its performance and content.

4. Data processing and storage period

Data processing shall be executed both manually and using computerised and telematic tools by email or ordinary mail. Data shall be retained in both hardcopy and electronic files for the period strictly necessary to achieve purposes described in Section 2 and, in any case, following the fulfilment of said purposes.
Specific security measures are implemented to prevent the loss, illegal or incorrect use of data and unauthorized access.

5. Compulsory or optional data provision

Unless otherwise specified for browsing data, provision by the User of the Personal Data requested by the various Website services is optional. Failure to provide said data may result in the user being unable to receive what they have requested.

6. Personal Data communication and disclosure

Personal Data collected by the Website is not subject to generalised disclosure. Said Data may be processed, for the purposes described in Section 2, by parties responsible for data processing and information systems, and by parties responsible for technical administration of the Website.

7. Rights of the data subject

Privacy legislation (Articles 7-10 of the Italian Privacy Code and Articles 12-22 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679) gives Data Subjects the right to be informed as to processing of data concerning them and the right to access the said data at any time and to request its updating, completion and rectification. Where the legal conditions are met, Data Subjects may also exercise the right to data erasure, processing restriction, data portability and objection to processing, as well as the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing.
Where Personal Data processing is subject to the Data Subject’s consent, the latter has the right to withdraw provided consent.
To exercise their rights, and for more detailed information on the parties or categories of parties to whom data is disclosed or who come into the knowledge of it in their capacity as controllers or data protection officers, data subjects may contact us at the following email address and phone number.
If data subjects have reason to believe their rights have been breached, they may lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority.

8. Data Controller and data protection officers

The Data Controller is Edgar Russ – Sound of Cremona SRL and is based in via Mauro Macchi 2/A – 26100 Cremona (CR). An updated list of data protection officers is stored at the registered office of the Data controller.

9. Changes to this Privacy Policy

The Data Controller reserves the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time, notifying Users on this web page. Therefore you are requested to consult this web page frequently and to refer to the most recent date, indicated at the bottom. If the User does not accept changes made to this privacy policy, they may request the Data Controller to remove their personal data. Unless otherwise specified, the most recent Privacy Policy shall continue to apply to Personal Data collected thus far.

Owning a finely crafted, decorated musical instrument is much more than a financial investment—it is a celebration of taste, style, and a deep love for music.

A passion for every form of art is one of the most common traits among wealthy individuals, collectors, and connoisseurs. Each of us has a passion that often involves the search for, and acquisition of, specific items—driven by the desire to find them, purchase them, and ultimately become their rightful owner, adding them to a cherished collection. Wine, cognac, whisky, motorcycles, cars, pipes, cigars, porcelain, watches, jewelry, and many more are just some examples.

Since the very origin of bowed string instruments, violins have always been among the most prized collectibles. Beyond the beauty of a simple violin, it has always been a superbly handcrafted artistic object with a rich history, inspiring scientific research in physics, chemistry, and craftsmanship to unlock its function and its miraculous sound.

Many owners of the finest-sounding violins do not play them themselves—but they delight in listening to their instruments being performed on by great musicians, which nurtures their passion for classical music. This passion only grows when they experience how steadily the value of their collectibles increases over time.

Indeed, there are many forms of investment, each requiring its own expertise, specialist advice, and having its own performance patterns. Some skyrocket, while others grow slowly but steadily.

Violins stand out in a world that seems to accelerate more every day. New temptations arise constantly, with some investments promising the impossible.
Violins are quite the opposite—because they have a remarkably steady rate of value appreciation. As long as the instrument is known, and verified by experts, to have been made by a specific maker, it holds its position as a secure and prestigious asset.

Master Edgar Russ, who has dedicated his life exclusively to crafting great-sounding bowed string instruments since starting at the age of 15, may well be the first violin maker with the courage and self-confidence to confront the question of authenticity head-on. By building the Osmium Violin, he aims to break the unspoken divide between antique and contemporary instruments.

No one can predict the future, but we do know how the past has performed. Italian violins have delivered an average annual return of almost 7%, ranking among the top three investments of the past 100 years with 2.5% annual growth in value. Over that same period, stocks have ranked first with 5.2% per year, followed by fine wine at 3.7%, postage stamps at 2.6%, and rare violins at 2.5%.

Of course, these numbers cannot match the meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies or other exceptional short-term opportunities. Yet the satisfaction of owning an outstanding instrument like the Osmium Violin, and one day passing it on to the next generation, must be immense—especially as it stands alone in the rare violin world for its innovation and guaranteed authenticity, certified by its living maker, Master Edgar Russ.

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    Edgar Russ is an internationally renowned violinmaker, celebrated for crafting unique, high-quality instruments that combine traditional Italian craftsmanship with a deep understanding of musicians’ needs. Born in Austria in 1966, Edgar grew up as the youngest of five children in a vibrant, artistic family. Creativity was a daily practice in the Russ household: his mother, an artist herself, encouraged her children to explore sewing, drawing, designing, woodworking, and music. Surrounded by this energy, Edgar developed an early fascination with sound and construction.

    By the age of 11, he was already building his first instruments, attracted by the magic of shaping raw materials into tools of expression. Driven by curiosity and determination, at just 17 years old, Edgar moved to Cremona, Italy, the capital of Violinmaking, to pursue his dream. There, he studied at the world-famous International Violinmaking School “Antonio Stradivari”, graduating after the guidance of master luthier Riccardo Bergonzi.

    Eager to expand his expertise, Edgar also traveled to the United States, where he trained with renowned American violinmakers including Paul and Carl Becker. These formative experiences shaped his unique style: a blend of Cremonese tradition, modern precision, and an open-minded approach to sound optimization. His time in the U.S. was a turning point that deepened his focus on tonal excellence and attention to detail.

    In 1990, Edgar opened his first workshop in Cremona. Eventually, in pursuit of full artistic freedom, he established his own independent studio in Via Maura Macchi, in the heart of Cremona’s historic center. It is here that Edgar continues to build instruments that are both visually striking and acoustically superior, collaborating with professional musicians, collectors, and music lovers from around the world.

    Edgar’s dedication to his craft and his tireless pursuit of perfection have earned him prestigious commissions. Among the most remarkable is the violin he created in 2012 for Bin Said Qaboos, Sultan of Oman, an extraordinary piece decorated with 427 diamonds, 70 rubies, and 70 tsavorites, all set in gold. Edgar’s promise remained focused: the instrument would sound exceptional. That promise was fulfilled and personally praised by the Sultan a year after delivery.

    In 2023, Edgar created his most ambitious instrument yet: The Osmium Violin, crafted with the rarest and densest metal on Earth. It is considered the most precious violin ever made, a true symbol of the fusion between innovation, rarity, and artistic mastery.
In a world that often values speed over quality, Edgar Russ stays true to the heart of what makes a violin great: soul, sound and the hands of the Maker who loves to listen.