The Encyclopedia of the Violin was first published in 1925 as a comprehensive reference of the history and evolution of the violin. It is still the number one source for all types of violin information, even after all these years. The book is written by Swiss-born Alberto Bachmann, himself a concert violinist and composer. Bachmann also wrote 1906's Le Violon, 1913's Les Grands Violinistes du Passe, and 1914's Gymnastique a l’Usage des Violinistes prior to publishing this book in 1925.
The book covers a vast array of details and can fill out any music lover's library. You can find information on anything from history and origin of the violin to playing style to music theory. These and many other subjects are covered in a very comprehensive manner. Read all at once, it may be rather overwhelming with the information overload, but it is invaluable as a desk reference. This is a great book for anyone who plays the violin, instrument makers, and historians.
Anyone interested in any aspect of the violin will find it here, but for best results, compare with newer works. New research may further illuminate Bachmann's points. Of course, he may also rebuke modern authors who offer their 'certainties' without historical context. The Encyclopedia of the Violin is a very well-written, interesting, and often nostalgic look back at the history of the violin and its musicians. It is easily the largest collection of violin-related information in one place and contains photographs dating back to 1925. Through these rare photos, the reader can get an idea of what the instruments and bows looked like at the time.
The book also includes detailed accounts of how to assemble the instruments themselves. The instructions are easy enough to follow that anyone who is the slightest bit handy will be able to fashion their own violin from scratch. Yet another section is devoted to the discussion of violin playing techniques, such as advising the reader on how to play difficult passages from the violin literature section. You can also find a large list of violinists of the time, with the author's personal insight into each musician's playing style. There is biographical information listed for each of the violinists in the book. One of the greatest violinists ever, Eugene Ysaye, wrote the introduction, capping off this book as a compendium of world-class musicians. Some younger readers may not understand the significance of some of the material and concepts in the book, but they are an excellent historical reference point to compare with modern music theory and technique.
The Encyclopedia of the Violin is so massive and contains so much detailed information that it could easily have been split up into several volumes. The fact that it has not just makes it a more convenient reference. It may be too difficult to lug the book around in your backpack, but it is an excellent resource to have in your music library at home.
Originally posted 2008-10-31 05:12:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Finding Acoustic Guitar Music Those who play the acoustic guitar are always on the lookout for great acoustic guitar music. There are a number of great collections out there and virtually every hard rock artist has come up with an acoustic version of their music that can be learned and played. To find the...... -
Violin Buying Guide When it comes to searching for the ideal violin, both new players and experienced players are in similar situations. There are a number of different questions that need to be considered, including what expense can be parted with, what value exists, how well the instrument is made and if there...... -
Tips for Playing the Violin Here are some tips for learning how to play the violin, which provide an accompaniment to the series we just did on learning how to properly play and practice the violin. 1 - If you want to learn more quickly, it would be wise for you to consult a private...... -
Brief History of Dobros The name "Dobro" refers to a specific style of resonator guitar, but is now a trade name that is owned by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. The "Dobros" name has a very long and very involved history that is closely interwoven with the resonator guitar's history as a musical instrument. The...... -
Buying Guide for Fiddlers Because fiddles are a less popular instrument than something like an electric guitar, it's hard to find a quality fiddle at a good price, and it's just as hard to find a good buying guide for fiddles to help you figure out which of these acoustic musical instruments is best.......
Related Websites - Gutted! By Lawrence LaRose If you’re thinking about buying an old house to restore, stop right now and buy this book. It is the absolute epitome of what you should not do, and it may even make you change your mind. Anyone interested in home improvement horror stories will love this book, and there......
- Book Review: Outdoor Survival By Garth Hattingh The author of this book is one of the most respected outdoor enthusiasts, experts and authors and this latest effort is truly spectacular. If you are planning on doing anything outdoors, whether it's boating, fishing, camping or hiking, this is the book that you need to read before you go......
- Ask the Readers: What's Your Take on Paid Book Reviews? I got a request a couple of weeks ago from a company to see if I wanted to review a business book. I get a lot of these as my email address seems to have gotten out on some public relations circles. Usually, the pitch goes something like: PR Person:......
-
Determining Sports Card Values If you are serious about collecting sports cards of any type, then you are going to want to have an understanding of what you can do to determine sport cards values as well. When it comes to the sports card collecting hobby or past time, there are certain questions that...... - 19th Macao Arts Festival to Be Held From 1-30 May 2008 The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government presents the 19th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) to be held between 1 and 30 May, 2008. Featuring more than 30 performances by artists from Israel, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada and South Korea, the Festival season would not be complete......
- 4 4 Size Acoustic Violin String Musical Instruments
- 1 2 Size Acoustic Violin String Musical Instruments
- 3 4 Size Acoustic Violin String Musical Instruments
- Violin String Musical Instruments
- Acoustic Violin String Musical Instruments
Categories:
Acoustic Musical Instruments, Book Review, Violin
Tags:
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment