A Treatise on the Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing

by Leopold Mozart, Alfred Einstein (Primary Contributor), Editha Knocker (Translator)

Known principally as the father of Wolfgang Amadeus, Leopold Mozart was a distinguished musician in his own right. An excellent violinist and composer, his greatest contribution to music was his Treatise on Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing . Published at Ausburg in 1756 it was the major work of its time on the violin and it contains much that is of considerable interest and value to musicians notes on performance, practice, a glossary of technical terms and specific chapters on the playing of written and improvised embellishments, the trill, and special rhythmic figures. Copious exercises illustrate each point made in the text. A Preface--revised for this edition--offers an illuminating biographical study of Leopold both as a man and as a musician.

Genres: Music, Art

274 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1948

About the author

The composer Johann Georg Leopold Mozart toured Europe with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, his son, a child prodigy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold...

Reviews

[Ameliedanjou]

The 5 rating isn't because this is something everyone wants to read; let's face it, it's really just for violinists. However, reading it you realize that one of the reasons little Amadeus was so gifted was because his father was a brilliant teacher. (BTW, Leopold finished this book the same year little Mozart was born.) Leopold was incredibly well educated musically, which becomes apparent in the obligatory long (& usually boring) introduction about music in general before he finally gets to the actual subject of the violin. I was amazed at the theorists he referenced; I'd presumed (incorrectly) that ancient musical history had been forgotten. Perhaps later it was, but Leopold knew his stuff.

Sometimes it's hard to slog through reading a how-to book on something you already know how to do, but if you can manage it, you'll see that his advise is still excellent. (plus occasional snide commentary on teachers who let their students do things the wrong way!)

Anyway, if you're a bowed string player, it's worth a glance or two. or more.

[Stephen]

Mozart's Treatise is an important text for anyone interested in historical performance practice.

[Paige]

This was fun to look at from a historical sense. I tried to read it through, but that was hard, in part because of musical terms used that are not still used, and also because it is more a workbook, which you are supposed to go through with your violin. However, I did enjoy reading his views on what makes a good violinist versus a bad one. I would recommend it if you are interested in music history.

[Matthew Adams]

Fascinating read. Essential for any violinist who wants to better understand their craft.

[Betsy]

Truly a must-read for violinists with academic curiosity. Amusing, insightful, and provocative.