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Stradivarius Case


No doubt, fine violin and Antonius Stradivarius (Antonio Stradivari) are organically interlaced, most probably forever.

Therefore, to enter the violin world as deep as possible, one definitely must pay attention at Stradivarius phenomenon.

So, why Stradivarius?

Let’s take a look:

The concerts Viotti gave in Paris and London in the 1780s and 1790s first alerted listeners to the power of Stradivari’s model. They astonished listeners with a tone and expressivity that was completely new at the time. The Morning Chronicle from February 1793 states:

‘It is impossible to speak of [Viotti's] performance in common
terms… He not only strikes the senses with wonder, but touches the heart with emotion’

Before Viotti’s concerts, for which he is believed to have used this violin, Stradivari was simply one violin-maker among many. Afterwards, his violins achieved the pre-eminence they have now enjoyed for over two centuries.

Antonio Stradivari’s status as an outstanding maker is well known. His success is built on three skills: craftsmanship – Stradivari could both carve the form of the violin and execute finer work impeccably; design – Stradivari’s experiments established a never-bettered shape for the soundbox; and his excellent choice of materials.

http://www.ram.ac.uk/strad/instrument.htm
Toby Faber, author of a biography of Stradivari entitled ‘Five Violins, One Cello and a Genius’, said: “Before Viotti, Stradivari was just one violin-maker among many. After him, everyone wanted to play a Strad.”

http://www.fritz-reuter.com/articles/saved_for_the_nation-viotti-violin.htm
More than 250 years after his death, Antonio Stradivari’s violins and cellos are the best in the world. On song and in the right hands they are magnificent, projecting their glorious tone to the back of the largest concert hall, and responding immediately to their player’s every change of style, pitch, volume – even mood.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1291260,00.htmlThis kind of information is always quite baseless. However, such ‘news’ regularly appear on pages of magazines and newspapers.

Had it not been for Stradivari … the violin would have become the victim of tradition, because it would in the long run have ceased to be able to adapt itself to the requirements of the times. Thanks to Stradivari, the violin has been able to remain “the Queen of musical instruments”.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Features/CA_Feature_Basic_
Template/0,2344,597,00.html

Quite reasonable evaluation of Stradivarius contribution into violins.

Stradivarius violins – multifaceted phenomenon in the violin world

Searching all possible sources, I found something extremely important:

So I wrote several short articles on different it’s aspects:

Is it possible to entirely understand this so complicated phenomenon?

My answer:

Certainly NO

That’s just beginning of newer ending process.