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Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making (1620-1850)
 
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Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making (1620-1850) [Hardcover]

David Rattray (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Book Description

0810839768 978-0810839762 December 28, 2000
This book presents a unique view of the work of the great Italian violin-makers from the 17th to the 19th centuries, based on the collection of The Royal Academy of Music in London. The Academy, founded in 1822, is Britain's senior conservatory and one of the oldest institutions in the world for advanced musical training.

Included here are masterpieces by Amati, Cappa, Celoniato, Ceruti, Dalla Costa, Deconet, Gagliano, Grancino, Guadagnini, Guarneri, Landolfi, Pressenda, Rota, Rugeri, Seraphin, Sorsana, Stradivari, Tecchler, and Testore. This revised edition has an updated descriptive text, features 15 extra entries, devotes at least two full-color spreads to each instrument, and is supplemented with a new dendrochronological study. Specially-commissioned photographs display each violin, viola, or cello with large, high-quality illustrations, revealing details of these instruments as never before.

The Academy's collection of stringed instruments consists of around 100 violins and a similar combined number of violas and celli, the majority of which were received as gifts over the last century, beginning with the Rutson Bequest in 1906. These working instruments are maintained in fine playing condition and generally are in the hands of young musicians during their time as students or at the outset of their careers. The fine selection presented here underlines the collection's core of masterpiece Italian violins, and for the most part this book includes only those instruments in the purest state of conservation.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

...an indispensable addition to the small number of up-to-date and well-illustrated catalogues of instrument collections and as a fine aid to the study and enjoyment of this magnificent assembly of examples of outstanding Italian lutherie from the early seventeenth to the mid nineteenth centuries. (Music & Letters )

Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making represents an important contribution to violin scholarship, and this second edition, providing outstanding photographic reproductions, is a significant step forward. No other book provides such technical assistance to readers who wish to learn about the evolution of craftsmanship in the art of violin making during the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries...an invaluable aid to the scholar or dilettante of this field. (Journal Of The American Musical Instrument Society )

...so successful is the photography in capturing the iridescent aura of each instrument. And the photographs' rich detail perfectly complements the descriptions...Urgently recommended. (Fanfare )

About the Author

David Rattray trained as an engineer in Scotland before moving to London in 1982 to study violin-making at the London College of Furniture (now Guildhall University). In 1988 he was appointed Instrument Custodian at The Royal Academy of Music, where in 1994 he was made an Honorary Associate. Rattray is also known as a maker of violins and violas, and his instruments are played by a number of prominent musicians as far afield as Australia and Japan.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Scarecrow Press (December 28, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0810839768
  • ISBN-13: 978-0810839762
  • Product Dimensions: 13 x 10.2 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,092,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great price, June 5, 2003
By 
J. Darnton "Michael Darnton" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making (1620-1850) (Hardcover)
Violin picture books are usually incredibly expensive. Not only is this one disproportionately inexpensive (for a violin book, which category uses a whole different $$ scale than most people use--$500 books are common) but it's beautifully done, with great photos, and a wide spectrum of important violins from important makers. This one is near the top of my list.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Okay, it's expensive..., August 27, 2006
By 
circa1850 (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making (1620-1850) (Hardcover)
but any quality violin books of note will be, especially since they are printed in such limited quantity.

Being a lover of the violin art form and the music, and not so much of a player, this book was highly recommended to me by Brian Newman of www.strad.com. I have been buying a few violins, I am learning to play, and may also view it as an investment. As an expert in the makes, makers, and periods of stringed instruments, Brian recommended that I study this book along with a few others to get a true idea and to develope and "eye" for the Italian look and style. Superbly photographed and reproduced, this is a must have for any lover of the violin music or art form.

With countless fakes and worthless copies out there, I have gained a little more insight as to what to look for and what to "look out" for in regards to authenticity.

I'm sure I'll never own an authentic strad or Maggini, but there some wonderful Italian, both early and modern, makers out there worth pursuing.

And being that we are planning another trip to Italy, my wife and I now have a few more places to add to our agenda...Cremona is near the top.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelltion Book. Great Pictures!, September 15, 2004
By 
T. Oh (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Masterpieces of Italian Violin Making (1620-1850) (Hardcover)
This is one of the best violin books that I've seen. It offers beautiful photos and useful (and concise) information. The book features the works of a variety of Italian violin makers. The best part about this book is the price. Most violin books with this quality of photos will run over $500.
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