Stradivari's Genius: Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection

A great book on the historical origin of the violin, the classic luthiers, some famous players, world background of the violin. It is not a novel, but you will get the feel of living inside several good stories that did actually happen. Great research of the author. What I did not see: information of the string making and uses through time, which I think is a highly important attribute to the violin's sound.

The author made a clear unraveling of the history of the Violin by exposing the events of five Stradivari Violins and a Cello. Those events had they not happened, made clear that the Stradivari Violins made more than music, they made a historic inpact upon Classical music as we know it today.The book is factual, but entertaining in a telling that is akin to a storytelling.I will be reading it again, and sure to enjoy it even more so.

Stradivarius violins are reknown 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 on 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.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.

Toby Faber has been enchanting readers for many years. He does not disappoint again with this intriguing Stradivari subject about five violins, one cello and three centuries. "Enduring Perfection" as he says, quite a good read

This is a very enjoyable book and nearly everything about it adds to what (if you are buying it) you probably know about Cremona violins already. Small things, true, but very well presented and entertaining. It doesnt take the place of the historical works by the Hill's or anyone else, obviously. Speaking of them --and quoting from the book, 'no other English violin dealer is older than the Hill's' (pun almost certainly intended.)

Great research and very enjoyable reading. Great job. I really love the history of violin making look forward to reading another of your books.

I really enjoyed this book. It contains a short but thorough (especially considering how little is known about the early life of Stradivari) biography and explanations of the violin making process before delving into the history of 6 particular instruments. I think I would have preferred that the history be divided into chapters that followed each individual instrument rather than an interweaving of all their stories together. If you are reading this book casually or among several other books it is easy to forget something that occurred two chapters ago that now has a direct correlation to the instrument which you are now following. That being said, I still very much enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone with a love of great craftsmanship, music, and/or history.

This book will give a person an overview of Stradavari's life and work and then carry forward with the history of some of his instruments and those that played them. It is very readable and flows well. I am a fiddle player and I enjoyed having a look into the world of classical violinists, their instruments and how their art developed over the centuries. I recommend the book.

Excellent read.