Type: Book

The larger divisions of the book concern the ancestry of Stradivari; his violins, violas and violoncellos; his aims in relation to tone; his materials; his varnish; his construction; his labels; the number of instruments he made; the growth of their reputation. Some of the topics discussed under these main headings are: Stradivari's apprenticeship to Amati; comparison of his work with that of Amati; the tone of the pre-1684 Stradivari violin; changes between 1684 and 1690; distinguishing charac­teristics of many existing violins, violas and cellos, their specific location, etc.; erroneous views concerning Stradivari's materials; his preference for the wood of certain trees in given years; the mystery of the ingredients of Stradivari's varnish; the effect of varnish on tone; the measurements of Stradivari's instruments; the time spent by Stradivari in making a violin; the years of greatest production; the largest number dating from one year; estimate of the total number made; an estimate of the actual sum he charged for an instrument; the introduction of Stradivari instruments into France and England; the first revelation of their supreme merit; and many other interesting topics.

Musicologists, violinists, makers of instruments, historians of culture, and those who count themselves simply as music lovers will find this to be an extremely interesting and informative account.

Unabridged, unaltered republication of original (1902) edition. New introduction by Sydney Beck, Head of Rare Book and Manuscript Collections, Music Division, New York Public Library. Analytical index by Rembert Wurlitzer. Appendices: census returns on the Stradivari family; additional data on his life; tables giving complete dimensions of 79 instruments by Stradivari, Amati, and others. 68 illustrations. 30 full-page plates, 4 in color. xxvi + 315pp. 5% x 83i. Paperbound.