What is the History of...?

Below is the second installment of the What is the History of...? series. If you have ever wondered how this Italian saxophone maker began, check out this article found directly from their site. Enjoy!

1872. In a small medieval village in Central Italy, Macerata, AUGUSTO BORGANI, driven by his passion for music and not content of just playing the trumpet in the town band, decided to undertake the production of musical instruments and set up a small workshop. His love for handicrafts, together with the attitude of a modern and farsighted entrepreneur, inspired Augusto challenging and innovating choices.

He also sent his son Arturo to USA to work at the Conn, in Indiana and learn more advanced means of production and techniques of manufacture. This precious experience overseas was transferred to the workshop that in this way could reach the highest quality standards.

1920. On Augusto's death, the other son ORFEO, trained for study and graduated in Clarinet at the Conservatoire of Bologna, decided to interrupt his artistic career and follow in his father's steps. Gifted with an exceptional genius, he mainly devoted his activity to the technological development of the production, boosting studies and researches and concentrating on the manufacture of woodwinds.

He took out several international patents of inventions, still in use nowadays (for example, a clarinet made to play both in Bb and in A tonality, through a simple extension of the central body).
But beside this, Orfeo didn't fail to recognize the extraordinary qualities and the importance of the saxophone, the new instrument just appeared, and wanted to bet on this new line of production.

1950. After Orfeo's premature death, his third-born GIUSEPPE started the activity very young and his interest and efforts were totally devoted to the development of new marketing and trading strategies. Despite the difficult situation of International economy at that time, his ability in business and his knowledge of the market, allowed him to widen distribution and sales network, achieving the goal of exporting Borgani instruments all over the world.

1985. Giuseppe handed over to his only son ORFEO, the 4th generation currently leading the company. Thanks to Orfeo, Borgani can be considered today the last "bulwark" of fine handicrafts Made in Italy. Orfeo has chosen to reorganize the company structure and production system, focusing on professional saxophones. His new approach aims at a high flexibility and adaptability to the market but never losing sight of the old tradition.

At this moment in Borgani history, "Jubilee" series has been created and together with it, the successful intuition of creating different sonorous alloys by the use of precious metals. The saxophone becomes extremely versatile in performaces, sound and aesthetics, offering options for each kind of music, from classic to jazz to modern music.