Book 23 - Toby Faber "Stradivarius"

Toby Faber "Stradivarius" (Pan Books)




Stradivarius violins are known for their beauty and powerful voices. This book traces Antonio Stradivari's life, that of his children, and more importantly, the journeys made by 5 violins and 1 cello made by him. The Lipinski, the Viotti, the Messiah (which almost never was played), the Paganini and the Khevenhuller are the violins and their owners are followed and described in this book, and the Davidov, the cello currently owned and played by YoYo Ma.

Having worked from violin designs from Nicolo Amati, another famous Cremona luthier, research provides descriptions of the adjustments that Stradivari made in the structure of his violins over time, perfecting the sounds can be coaxed from the more than 1000 instruments that were made in his workshop.

Between Stradivari’s time and ours the Strads have passed through the hands of amateurs and virtuosos, wealthy families and members of royalty. They have been sought, collected, and sold off. They have survived wars, disappeared into private collections, and reappeared in estate sales generations later. As their histories unfold, Faber investigates the Strad sound and the enduring legend.

The secrets that Stradivari took to his grave continue to confound makers of violins, cellos and violas today. Despite all that technology allows today, there are no instruments that produce the beautiful depth of sound as beautifully as a Stradivari.