Leading appraisers of fine musical instruments agree that in the art of
making violins, no one has ever gone beyond the achievement of Antonio
Stradivari. The incomparable visual beauty of his instruments and the
infinite variety and magnificence of tone of which they are capable have
by this time passed into the realm of legend. Collectors have paid many
thousands of dollars for one of Stradivari's violins. It is strange, but
true, that only one book really delves into the life and art of this
famous Italian craftsman. That is the book published in 1902 by the
three Hill brothers of the London violin-making firm. Expert
violin-makers and critics of superior violin craftsmanship, these men
had unique opportunities to examine and compare almost all of the great
examples of Italian violin-making.
The larger divisions of the book concern the ancestry of Stradivari; his
violins, viols, and violoncellos; his aims in relation to tone; his
materials; his varnish; his construction; his labels; the number of
instruments he made; the growth of their reputation. Some of the topics
discussed under these main headings are: Stradivari's apprenticeship to
Amati; comparison of his work with that of Amati; the tone of the
pre-1684 Stradivari violin; changes between 1684 and 1690;
distinguishing characteristics of many existing violins, violas, and
cellos, their specific location, etc.; erroneous views concerning
Stradivari's material; his preference for the wood of certain trees in
given years; the mystery of the ingredients of Stradivari's varnish; the
effect of varnish on tone; the measurements of Stradivari's instruments;
the time spent by Stradivari in making a violin; the years of greatest
production; the largest number dating from one year; estimate of the
total number made; an estimate of the actual sum he charged for an
instrument; the introduction of Stradivari instruments into France and
England; the first revelation of their supreme merit; and many other
interesting topics.
Musicologists, violinists, makers of instruments, historians of culture,
and those who count themselves simply as music lovers will find this to
be an extremely interesting and informative account.
