The name of Antonio Stradivari resounds with every would-be violin player, and each is well aware that Stradivari's creations, named for him in the Latin version of his surname, are inimitably crafted musical instruments.
Stradivarius violins have gained international renown both for the clarity and loveliness of the music they produce and for the incredible prices would-be buyers are willing to pay for them.
For many centuries, the top of the line stringed instrument was the Italian violin, and most of the premier violin designers in the history of the world were Italian designers.
All violinists today are familiar with names such as Amati and Guarneri, but by far the most well known and respected name in the history of violin creation is Stradivarius.
He was a student of the master Amati, but his skills soon surpassed his esteemed mentor.
In some string groups, other of Stradivari's creations - violas, cellos, harps, and/or guitars - accompany his priceless violins, since those were not the only instruments he crafted.
There are more than two thirds of his instruments still existing, which fortunate musicians are still playing regularly.
Given that his death occurred all the way back in 1737, the enduring quality of his craftsmanship is certainly unquestionable.
There are two distinguishing characteristics of the Stradivarius violins in addition to any other stringed instrument made by a luthier.
(The luthier is craftsman of any sort of stringed musical instrument.
The word originates from the root of "lute.
") The first characteristic was construction, as the style of the bending in the curvature of the central portion and the case became modernized.
Stradivari in addition altered the fat and slim portions of the body to an exact measurement which he developed into the ideal tone, as an outcome his musical instruments are quite alike in sound.
It is a widely held belief that Stradivari's well-guarded varnish formula was not just a protective coating of the instrument, but actually the most important secret to his violins.
He was successful in keeping the formula a secret, and as such, others have tried to recreate it for generations.
One reason that the Stradivarius still has not been replicated is that almost all types of useful analysis would involve damage to a priceless instrument.
No collector would allow such destruction of their valued "Strad".
Some famous violinists favor other instrument makers, but few would turn down a chance to play one the existing Stradivarius violins.
Some masters own several, but this is becoming more unlikely with instruments bringing more than $3.
5 million at auctions recently.
Such instruments have been very carefully authenticated since there are so many fakes and imitations.
The genuine Stradivarius creations bear a label reading, "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno, which means "Antonio Stradivari of Cremona made this in the year," with the number of the appropriate year filled in.
However, counterfeits usually say this too in order to simulate authenticity! Beginning music students generally own a low-cost instrument which may bear that same legend, but which also carry a small disclaimer such as "replica" or "copy of" so as to differentiate them.
Stradivarius violins have gained international renown both for the clarity and loveliness of the music they produce and for the incredible prices would-be buyers are willing to pay for them.
For many centuries, the top of the line stringed instrument was the Italian violin, and most of the premier violin designers in the history of the world were Italian designers.
All violinists today are familiar with names such as Amati and Guarneri, but by far the most well known and respected name in the history of violin creation is Stradivarius.
He was a student of the master Amati, but his skills soon surpassed his esteemed mentor.
In some string groups, other of Stradivari's creations - violas, cellos, harps, and/or guitars - accompany his priceless violins, since those were not the only instruments he crafted.
There are more than two thirds of his instruments still existing, which fortunate musicians are still playing regularly.
Given that his death occurred all the way back in 1737, the enduring quality of his craftsmanship is certainly unquestionable.
There are two distinguishing characteristics of the Stradivarius violins in addition to any other stringed instrument made by a luthier.
(The luthier is craftsman of any sort of stringed musical instrument.
The word originates from the root of "lute.
") The first characteristic was construction, as the style of the bending in the curvature of the central portion and the case became modernized.
Stradivari in addition altered the fat and slim portions of the body to an exact measurement which he developed into the ideal tone, as an outcome his musical instruments are quite alike in sound.
It is a widely held belief that Stradivari's well-guarded varnish formula was not just a protective coating of the instrument, but actually the most important secret to his violins.
He was successful in keeping the formula a secret, and as such, others have tried to recreate it for generations.
One reason that the Stradivarius still has not been replicated is that almost all types of useful analysis would involve damage to a priceless instrument.
No collector would allow such destruction of their valued "Strad".
Some famous violinists favor other instrument makers, but few would turn down a chance to play one the existing Stradivarius violins.
Some masters own several, but this is becoming more unlikely with instruments bringing more than $3.
5 million at auctions recently.
Such instruments have been very carefully authenticated since there are so many fakes and imitations.
The genuine Stradivarius creations bear a label reading, "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno, which means "Antonio Stradivari of Cremona made this in the year," with the number of the appropriate year filled in.
However, counterfeits usually say this too in order to simulate authenticity! Beginning music students generally own a low-cost instrument which may bear that same legend, but which also carry a small disclaimer such as "replica" or "copy of" so as to differentiate them.
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