Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Violin Maker: A Search for the Secrets of Craftsmanship, Sound, and Stradivari
How does a simple piece of wood become the king of instruments?
The violin does something remarkable, magical, and evocative. It is capable of bringing to life the mathematical marvels of Bach, the moan of a Gypsy melody, the wounded dignity of Beethoven's Concerto in D Major. No other instrument is steeped in such a rich brew of myth and lore--and yet the making of a violi...more
The violin does something remarkable, magical, and evocative. It is capable of bringing to life the mathematical marvels of Bach, the moan of a Gypsy melody, the wounded dignity of Beethoven's Concerto in D Major. No other instrument is steeped in such a rich brew of myth and lore--and yet the making of a violi...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
April 1st 2008
by Harper Perennial
(first published April 1st 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
260)
I don't happen to be any sort of music expert. I listen to classical music when I work. I took piano lessons for 13 years and still have trouble sight-reading. I played the trumpet for almost as long and was just kind of okay. I took blues guitar lessons and promptly forgot everything I ever learned. But I love music nonetheless, and especially the violin. And, I love stories of quiet, passionate people making beautiful things. This is both a history of violin-making (Stradivari) and a chronicli...more
Loved the book from the start! It was engaging and easy to read. It grabbed me and I would have finished it in one day (if I didn't had to sleep and/or work ;) ). John Marchese combines historical facts about violin making and violin makers with his own observations and feelings about his journey into the violin building world and tales about/from Sam Zygmuntowicz (a renowned Brooklyn violin-maker) and Gene Drucker (violinist of the Emerson Quartet who plays a Stradivarius and who commissioned S...more
Marchese chronicles the crafting of a new instrument by renowned Brooklyn violin-maker Sam Zygmuntowicz, under commission for Emerson Quartet violinist Eugene Drucker (who plays a Stradivarius, and is extremely sensitive to the inexpressible sonic qualities of the box of wood under his chin). The author travels to Stradivari’s hometown of Cremona (where a modern revival of violin-making has emerged), spends many hours observing the increasingly detailed work at Zygmuntowicz’s studio, and attends...more
As a violinist I found this book inspiring, uplifting and informative. John Marchese gives a window into a world few, even professional performers ever see, the workshop of a world class luthier. There has been a renaissance in violn making in recent years and one of those leading the way is American luthier Samuel Zygmuntowicz.Charged with the task of creating a violin worthy of internationally acclaimed violinist Eugene Drucker, Zygmuntowicz draws upon a lifetime of study and 300 years of viol...more
Jun 13, 2008
Carissa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Radiohead fans and classical music lovers
Recommended to Carissa by:
the library
Shelves:
finished
Having spent lots of time hanging out with my boyfriend in his attic woodworking shop, I enjoyed this reflective exploration of what it means to make a "perfect" violin from scratch. The author spends months following a Brooklyn woodworker as he fulfills a commission to make a violin for Gene Drucker of the Emerson Quartet. Always friendly and never technical, the book affectionately describes all the decisions that go into making a great violin -- selecting the perfect block of wood, aging the...more
Interesting from a 'how violins are made' perspective. Less interesting and compelling from the story telling angle. The author couldn't decide if he was telling a story or chronically history. I would have preferred the former. With all the technical details of violins and violin making I would preferred a bundle more illustrations. A map of Italy might have been nice also. Overall, though I am glad I read it.
Another of my favorite genre, obsessively niche nonfiction. It tells the story of contemporary luthier (violin maker) Sam Zygmuntowicz in an industry that so venerates the old. Marchese (a musician himself -- trumpetist) paints a vibrant picture of a maker of new violins -- one of the first to make a modern violin rivalling the old Italians. The book follows Zygmuntowicz during the intensely personal and meticulous process of designing and building a violin commissioned by a noted violinist, whi...more
I really enjoyed this book about current violin maker Sam Zygmuntowicz. It's pretty short, and easy to read. Interesting look into the world of one of today's top violin makers.
Pretty good non-fiction about writer who follows a modern-day violin maker. Learned a lot about violins and the mystique of Stradivarius' that I was curious about.
If you love violins, you will enjoy this book about the making of violins. You will learn that a Stradivari isn't the best violin in the world after all.
As a violinist, I appreciated the journalistic approach of Marchese. While the reporting of the violin making process is a little slow at times, the author does a great job at combining historical fact with the creation of a new instrument. I would certainly recommend this book to violinists and classical music lovers.
In Rumspringa, the author mentioned how the U.S. has become an economy that doesn't make anything anymore. Instead we are economy of consumers who provide services. And I agree with that view, and it makes me sad.
Which is why I liked this book. Not only does it talk about a craftsman creating something, it talks about a craftsman putting his heart into it. And, so that you don't get bored the author puts little bits of violin history in for you. It made me almost want to put on classical music....more
Which is why I liked this book. Not only does it talk about a craftsman creating something, it talks about a craftsman putting his heart into it. And, so that you don't get bored the author puts little bits of violin history in for you. It made me almost want to put on classical music....more
Delightful book. Nothing heavy, but a highly enjoyable insight into a world I knew nothing about.
Aug 13, 2007
Broche
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Shane
Shelves:
about-real-people
This book is a wonderful story about the art form of violin making. Though the writing itself often seems like it has two authors - the lyrical dreamer sometimes gets overwritten by the research historian - the story is a delightful mix of an ancient craft practiced in a modern era. If you have an ounce of musical interest, this book is a fascinating read.
Author's adventure of spending time with Sam Zygmuntowicz while he is creating a violin for Eugene Drucker of the Emerson String Quartet. Gives a not often seen side of musicians and others in the field. One will have a different view of blocks of wood after reading this.
As a violinist I loved the story of the author's journey into the world of the violin maker Samual Zygmuntowicz who made a violin for Eugene Drucker of the Emerson String Quartet. Its very down to earth and explains clearly many things that were a mystery to me in the past.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given my obsession with all things violin, I thoroughly enjoyed this little gem of a book. It rips along like a novel, but is full of wisdom on all manner of creative angst.
Marchese's charming narrative of violin-making and its history reminded me of the movie The Red Violin. Even though I don't play, I found myself turning these pages obsessively. It's a gem of a book.
Fantastic book about craftsmanship and art, or is it the art of craftsmanship? This is an example of how to write a compelling book about what could be a very dry topic. I enjoyed it immensely!
i'm still in the process of reading this, but so far it's been fascinating. maybe a little unfamiliar to non musicians, but a great tool in learning more about instruments and how they're made.
If you like music or play a string instrument this book is fascinating. I listened to some of the music mentioned on youtube while i read and it really made the book dynamic.
Good book about a modern violin maker. The author follows the process from start to finish with a side trip to Cremona, Italy to learn more about the history of fine violins.
A quick light read - very interesting. I didn't know that the best living violin maker lives within walking distance of me!
Really fascinating if you are interested in music or how violins are made this is the book for you.
i liked this book, but i think it would be better for someone who doesnt know anything about violin making...
Rekindled my love and appreciation for all things violin: listening and playing.
Really interesting book on a lost art. Worth a read.
A fun read about an interesting subject.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
