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.

2 comments:

  1. nice link with the industrial revolution.

    have you been listening to violin music as you read the book?

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  2. Yes, I listen to classical violin music as I read the book. Either in the T, through my ipod, or home. Really fun!!! ^^/

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