Title: Stradivari’s Genius-Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection
Author: Toby Faber
Page 167-219
Summary
The advancement in technology influenced the expansion of classical music to the New World. The main component that expanded classical music to other countries is the phonograph. It was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877. It facilitated people to hear a diversity of songs from foreign countries. Miss Marie Hall’s violin’s recordings were the first to be made in that time period. Via radio, more people became aware of the sweet tones the Strads were able to make. Ever since then, Strads became priceless relics throughout the entire world. Various collectors invested millions to get their hands on a Strad. There was one occasion a wealthy Cuban owned the Lipinski. The musicians owning a Strad were considered fortunate. One of the well known is “the ultimate wunderkind”: Yehudi Menuhin (Faber 173). Menuhin one of the most influential violinists in the 20th century due to his great debuts in America and Europe, his career started at the age of 11. Another virtuoso who still owns the Davidov is Yo-Yo Ma. For Ma, getting the Davidov became a huge dilemma since it was sold for “a relatively undemanding price” (Faber 201). As for the Viotti, Faber stated there was confusion of two 1974 Strads. The one Ms. Hall owned was not the Viotti, it was later on name the Marie Hall. The genuine violin was located in London in 1905. As the latest owner of the Viotti died in 2002, his will was to displayed it alongside the Messiah, which yet it haven’t been accomplish. With many copies of the Messiah, at one point people became doubtful of its originally. Already displayed in the Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, many officials tested if was the real deal, which was at the end. Lastly, the 1680 Paganini remains in the famous Tokyo String Quartet. It’s still intact and heard by many in concerts and other great events.
Quote
“For fifty years it hung there in semi-splendor, its varnish pristine, its corners unworn, its purfling exact, the most perfectly preserved example of Stradivari’s workmanship from the very peak of his golden period” (Faber 210).
Reaction
The entire book is full of imagery. From the introduction to the aftermath, Faber writes in full details and his choice of words is understandable, mentioned in previous posts. It is amusing how his writing style can create a great picture such as mentioned on the quote above. The quote describes the Messiah in the Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. This is another quote that lauds Stradivari’s craftsmanship. His instruments were so perfect that had been passed along with through many virtuosi. It is a fact, Faber persuaded me throughout the entire book that Stradivari is a real genius.
I rate this book 5 out 5. Admire Faber's writing style!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Stradivari's Genius (Page 132-166)
Summary
Over time, many virtuosi had own the five Strads Faber had mentioned. Charles Davidov encountered the great Strad cello, the Davidov, in the mid 1800’s. Davidov was “hailed as Europe’s greatest virtuoso before he was twenty-five” (Faber 140). There are many stories how he acquire the Strad. The most well known story is reminisced by Yo Yo Mah, which is about Count Wielhoski. In the winter of 1885-86, Davidov met Count Wielhoski. Both men celebrated the count’s birthday. Suddenly, the count decided to give his beloved cello. Since then, Davidov had gained honorific acknowledgments. The main one is to be entitled the “Soloist to His Majesty.” He was the main musician of the Russian Emperial Orchestra. However, there was a huge commotion over him in 1875. The story was that the Russian Court expected to entertain the Sweden monarchs. The problem was Davidov was in Finland, not Russia. Therefore, the Russian guards were looking for him until they found him and return back to Russia. It is comical since many people were looking for him, even Davidov had no idea what was going on. After his death in 1889, the Davidov, was purchased by an British for $230,000.
The next virtuosa to play the Viotti was Ms. Marie Hall. She was come from a very poor family. Many people were enchanted by her sensational violinist’s skills, performing in the English streets. With the level of penury her family was, she was limited to travel around the world. However, at the age of 15, Philip Napier Miles offered to pay her family $100 each week for borrowing her. The “chains” had been broken, bringing her full potential to become the violinist the world expected.
Quote
“Her career would indeed continue, and the Viotti would continue to be heard, but few would have guessed the changes the next few years would bring from all violinists” (Faber 163).
Reaction
With so many details, Faber has a great control of writing the book. He facilitates the reader with simple terms in order to not lose the reader in the large stream of information. The main reason may be the great sense of transition he has as the writer. I had notice Faber collaborates each chapter to ensure they support each other. If one chapter is not read, then the reader will be lost of the occurrence of events in the story. It is essential to read any book in chronological order to understand the main gist of the entire book, especially in a book of history. I also had notice the last sentence of every chapter ends up with the “to be continue” ending. Notice on the quote above, Faber states Ms. Marie Hall will impact other violinist with her playing. He foreshadows high achievements made by Hall. The “changes” that will revolutionize the classical music’s hearing or medium.
Over time, many virtuosi had own the five Strads Faber had mentioned. Charles Davidov encountered the great Strad cello, the Davidov, in the mid 1800’s. Davidov was “hailed as Europe’s greatest virtuoso before he was twenty-five” (Faber 140). There are many stories how he acquire the Strad. The most well known story is reminisced by Yo Yo Mah, which is about Count Wielhoski. In the winter of 1885-86, Davidov met Count Wielhoski. Both men celebrated the count’s birthday. Suddenly, the count decided to give his beloved cello. Since then, Davidov had gained honorific acknowledgments. The main one is to be entitled the “Soloist to His Majesty.” He was the main musician of the Russian Emperial Orchestra. However, there was a huge commotion over him in 1875. The story was that the Russian Court expected to entertain the Sweden monarchs. The problem was Davidov was in Finland, not Russia. Therefore, the Russian guards were looking for him until they found him and return back to Russia. It is comical since many people were looking for him, even Davidov had no idea what was going on. After his death in 1889, the Davidov, was purchased by an British for $230,000.
The next virtuosa to play the Viotti was Ms. Marie Hall. She was come from a very poor family. Many people were enchanted by her sensational violinist’s skills, performing in the English streets. With the level of penury her family was, she was limited to travel around the world. However, at the age of 15, Philip Napier Miles offered to pay her family $100 each week for borrowing her. The “chains” had been broken, bringing her full potential to become the violinist the world expected.
Quote
“Her career would indeed continue, and the Viotti would continue to be heard, but few would have guessed the changes the next few years would bring from all violinists” (Faber 163).
Reaction
With so many details, Faber has a great control of writing the book. He facilitates the reader with simple terms in order to not lose the reader in the large stream of information. The main reason may be the great sense of transition he has as the writer. I had notice Faber collaborates each chapter to ensure they support each other. If one chapter is not read, then the reader will be lost of the occurrence of events in the story. It is essential to read any book in chronological order to understand the main gist of the entire book, especially in a book of history. I also had notice the last sentence of every chapter ends up with the “to be continue” ending. Notice on the quote above, Faber states Ms. Marie Hall will impact other violinist with her playing. He foreshadows high achievements made by Hall. The “changes” that will revolutionize the classical music’s hearing or medium.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Stradivari's Genius (Page 81-131)
Title: Stradivari’s Genius-Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection
Author: Toby Faber
Page 81- 131
Summary
As many virtuosos over time play the same brand instrument, Stradivari’s masterpieces became even more lauded. Viotti’s influence on violin playing demanded the use of a modern bow. With the help of Tourte-a bow maker, both formatted the idea of a manageable and powerful bow that will improve the sound from any string instruments. Even though Viotti’s life seemed successful, he was not. The life of Viotti has been a tragedy. Viotti tried to become a business man but luck was not by his side. His life had always been affected by any political event such as the French Revolution, Realpolitik movement, and the assassination of the duc de Berry at his opera house in 1820. At the end of his life, Viotti remained with a huge debt. After his death, all his belongings were sold to pay up his debt, including the Viotti. The next violin, the Khevenhuller, was formally a gift from Prince Kehevehuller toward his second violinist wife, Guiseppina Strassoldo. There are not enough details about his wife and her talents as the owner of the Strad. According to Robert Schumann’s memorable phrase, Nicolo Paganini was “the turning-point in the history of virtuosity.” In the nineteenth century, Paganini’s most remembered by his “feverish talent, technical brilliance, and dramatic excess” (Faber 104). The narrator emphasized Paganini did not use the Strad but only thought as a part of his quartet collection in his late fifty’s. Death came at the age of 57 due to tuberculosis of the larynx, a sickness. As the Strads rose from forgotten instruments to famous, many luthiers replicated them. The most famous man to do that was Jean-Babtiste Vuillaume. He was a very skillful craftsman, but still his replicas could not be compared to the real things. His ownership over the Messiah was fatalistic since his friend Tarisio, a very wealthy dealer, owned it. After Tarisio’s death, Vuillaume purchased from his family members 150 instruments, which included 24 Strads. During his entire life, Vuillame sold most of his items except the Messiah. It has been said this particular Strad was so mystical that people do not sell it until they are tear apart by death.
Quote
“For the next hundred years Great Britain, as the most prosperous economy in the world, was to act as a magnet for Strads from around Europe” (Faber 85).
Reaction
Faber has a good sense of connecting historical events and famous European violinists. As many remember how talented a virtuoso was, sudden events ruined his economic life such as Viotti. Also, as Paganini was at his peak in life, the successful economy in Great Britain enticed him to travel there and perform. In the quote above, it gives the allusion of the development of the Industrial Revolution. Refer to the phrase “the most prosperous economy in the world,” meaning the Industrial Revolution, which began in the countryside of England. There is also a literary term know as a simile. The simile compares Great Britain to a magnet. The “magnet” hosting future virtuosos’ stages.
Author: Toby Faber
Page 81- 131
Summary
As many virtuosos over time play the same brand instrument, Stradivari’s masterpieces became even more lauded. Viotti’s influence on violin playing demanded the use of a modern bow. With the help of Tourte-a bow maker, both formatted the idea of a manageable and powerful bow that will improve the sound from any string instruments. Even though Viotti’s life seemed successful, he was not. The life of Viotti has been a tragedy. Viotti tried to become a business man but luck was not by his side. His life had always been affected by any political event such as the French Revolution, Realpolitik movement, and the assassination of the duc de Berry at his opera house in 1820. At the end of his life, Viotti remained with a huge debt. After his death, all his belongings were sold to pay up his debt, including the Viotti. The next violin, the Khevenhuller, was formally a gift from Prince Kehevehuller toward his second violinist wife, Guiseppina Strassoldo. There are not enough details about his wife and her talents as the owner of the Strad. According to Robert Schumann’s memorable phrase, Nicolo Paganini was “the turning-point in the history of virtuosity.” In the nineteenth century, Paganini’s most remembered by his “feverish talent, technical brilliance, and dramatic excess” (Faber 104). The narrator emphasized Paganini did not use the Strad but only thought as a part of his quartet collection in his late fifty’s. Death came at the age of 57 due to tuberculosis of the larynx, a sickness. As the Strads rose from forgotten instruments to famous, many luthiers replicated them. The most famous man to do that was Jean-Babtiste Vuillaume. He was a very skillful craftsman, but still his replicas could not be compared to the real things. His ownership over the Messiah was fatalistic since his friend Tarisio, a very wealthy dealer, owned it. After Tarisio’s death, Vuillaume purchased from his family members 150 instruments, which included 24 Strads. During his entire life, Vuillame sold most of his items except the Messiah. It has been said this particular Strad was so mystical that people do not sell it until they are tear apart by death.
Quote
“For the next hundred years Great Britain, as the most prosperous economy in the world, was to act as a magnet for Strads from around Europe” (Faber 85).
Reaction
Faber has a good sense of connecting historical events and famous European violinists. As many remember how talented a virtuoso was, sudden events ruined his economic life such as Viotti. Also, as Paganini was at his peak in life, the successful economy in Great Britain enticed him to travel there and perform. In the quote above, it gives the allusion of the development of the Industrial Revolution. Refer to the phrase “the most prosperous economy in the world,” meaning the Industrial Revolution, which began in the countryside of England. There is also a literary term know as a simile. The simile compares Great Britain to a magnet. The “magnet” hosting future virtuosos’ stages.
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