https://www.123articleonline.com/rss/author/96542/nathan-weissArticles written by Nathan Weiss from 123ArticleOnline.comen-usCopyright (c) 123ArticleOnline.com All rights reserved. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1306448/the-violin-makers-of-the-united-states-by-thomas-wenberg Neither a musician nor a maker of musical instruments, this deeply shy writer traversed America to meet luthiers face-to-face and describe their work. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1171528/a-history-of-violins-in-the-world-of-jazz The versatility of bows on strings is evident in how musicians over the past century have found ways to swing an instrument that can do bebop as well as Bach. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1166716/a-look-into-violin-making-competitions As only humans can craft fine stringed instruments - violins, cellos, violas, basses - some are better than others. Luthier competitions show us who. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1125336/accessories-for-the-beginner-violin-player There are several items the stringed instrument musician should acquire early in his or her training. It enables better play from the start. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1331946/albert-einstein-and-the-violin While scribbling difficult formulas about E=mc2 on a chalkboard, it may have been Mozart's Violin Sonata in C that coursed through his considerable brain. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1350964/andrea-amati-and-the-king-charles-ix-instrument-collection Catherin de' Medici brought a love of dance from Italy to the French court. In so doing, she drove the enduring standardization of violins, violas, and cellos. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1125335/authentication-and-certification-of-fine-stringed-instruments An especially knowledgeable violinmaker can identify the origin of a violin. This goes beyond an appraisal - a certificate of authenticity applies to insuring a fine instrument. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1277760/baroque-musical-instruments-vs-modern-stringed-instruments The interplay of historical events and inventive instrument making - violins providing the best example - led the transition from one period to the next. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1271928/baroque-stringed-instrument-bows-versus-modern-bows While appearing to be less complex than the violin itself, the bow and its evolution since the 17th century illustrate how 'the stick' had distinct advantages. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1401275/delay-gingold-galamian-three-legendary-violin-teachers Even Itzahk Perlman had a teacher, without whom he would not be the performer he is today. It takes sacrifice to leave the stage and cultivate those who will one day take it themselves. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1229930/demystifying-harmonics-of-stringed-instruments Instruments like violins and cellos produce harmonic tone vibrations, involuntarily or by intent, from strings other than the string being played. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1271929/demystifying-the-stringed-instrument-bridge A simple piece of maple wood might look less important than the showier body, strings, scroll or bow of a violin. But the bridge is critical to the sound. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1190546/demystifying-the-violin-bridge The bridge in all stringed instruments is a simple, unheralded part that transfers vibrations from the strings to the instrument body. It's all physics! https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1401276/due-diligence-and-purchasing-a-fine-stringed-instrument The provenance of a great violin, viola or cello plays heavily into its value. But how that is proven is difficult - and no job for an amateur. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1235970/fine-musical-instrument-appraisal-factors-to-consider The search for identity and value in fine stringed and other instruments is its own treasure hunt. Several factors matter - including how it sounds. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1310491/francois-tourte-inventor-of-the-modern-bow While considered subservient to the violin, the bow rose to much greater importance in the confluence of Tourte, skilled violinists, and the French Revolution. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1426307/german-violinmaking-the-hopf-family While early members of this dynasty created violins that have endured for hundreds of years, later industrious Hopfs also were successful at mass production. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1332182/german-violinmaking-the-klotz-family Austria's von Trapps might have a movie made about them, but the musical contributions of the Klotz luthiers are celebrated with a statue and a school. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1171529/how-violin-rentals-generally-work The option to rent an instrument makes sense in a variety of circumstances. Understanding the variables should help players decide what's right for them. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1125338/in-violinmaking-the-age-of-the-wood-matters It starts with mature, old growth trees and then requires a long time of natural drying. With stringed instruments such as violins, age is an advantage. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1351260/italian-violinmaking-the-amati-family Stradivari is known for the greatest violins, but the likely inventor of the modern violin was Andreas Amati. French royalty deserves some credit as well. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1320001/material-for-modern-stringed-instrument-bows The smaller of the two parts of stringed instruments, the bow, is remarkably complex and made of several parts, historically derived directly from nature. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1337889/need-a-strad-borrow-one-here Patronage of artists has always been essential. But different ways that high priced instruments find young prodigies ensure those strings get bowed. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1340883/pablo-casals-and-his-goffriller-cello Misidentified for decades, the instrument of the famous 20th century cellist is still in the ownership of his widow. Tax policy is why it was misidentified. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1340676/pablo-picasso-and-the-violin The crossover between visual and performing arts is not uncommon. But in his championing of Cubism, Picasso found his inspiration to paint in violins. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1395066/provenance-and-a-fine-instruments-value Some of the finest violins, cellos, basses and other stringed instruments are now 100s of years old and of great value. Knowing their history matters. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1162833/purchasing-a-fine-stringed-instrument-at-auction Violins, cellos, violas, basses and bows are sold at auction all the time. It works for buyers and sellers, but it's possible to get it wrong. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1405409/reasons-not-to-leave-your-fine-stringed-instrument-in-a-car About a third of violin players acknowledge leaving their instrument vulnerable to theft, a large portion of them in cars. Which is a very, very bad idea. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1381760/sears-roebuck-and-the-violin Almost everything was sold via the Sears 'Wish Books' of the 20th century. Worth noting is inexpensive instruments that have long been available - and valued. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1344272/stringed-instruments-of-the-renaissance Musical eras and the instruments that created them are on an historical, evolving continuum. But each era, the Renaissance period included, has its own instruments. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1296829/stringed-instruments-when-to-change-the-strings Whether for the violin, cello, viola or string bass, knowing proper string maintenance can reduce the chances of a mid-performance break. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1373463/the-beginnings-of-the-cello-endpin The parts of the cello start at the floor. But the endpin wasn't always part of the instrument, and the physicality of that changed music itself. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1323820/the-concertmasters-of-the-los-angeles-philharmonic-orchestra As the first chair of one of the world's great orchestras, the LA Phil concertmasters often extend their credits by working on great cinematic scores. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1254882/the-famous-or-infamous-thefts-of-stradivarius-violins Despite the difficulty thieves might find reselling famous works of the master luthier, history shows that Stradivariuses hold enduring attraction to thieves. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1354978/the-fssen-school-of-violin-making While the Museum of FÃssen commemorates its luthier-populated past, much of the violinmaking influence of this Bavarian town ultimately went elsewhere. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1360153/the-gagliano-family-of-violinmakers The violins of Cremona and Venice might have the most storied histories, but the Neopolitan Gagliano family instruments have stood the test of time as well. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1254883/the-history-of-rosin-and-stringed-instruments Both rosin and music produced by strings go back thousands of years. When the two came together is uncertain, but it's easy to understand why. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1185961/the-history-of-the-baryton The thick neck of this obscure stringed instrument speaks to the double duty it and its players serve to produce its rich tonality. Barytons are quite rare. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1320051/the-history-of-the-gibson-ex-huberman-stradivarius-violin The violin Joshua Bell can't let out of his sight has twice, and for many years, been in the hands of thieves. Yet it helped save the lives of 1,000 people. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1317535/the-history-of-the-nyckelharpa The 'Swedish fiddle' is not purely a product of this Scandinavian country. But its biggest fans are probably in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Uppsala. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1360288/the-interesting-history-of-the-pochette A scaled down version of the violin, the pochette was devised for traveling and impromptu performances. And, it helped Scots become Englishmen. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1200268/the-lowdown-on-fine-instrument-investing Rare musical instruments as investments are attractive because a growing wealth market appreciates the finite supply of fine violins and other instruments. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1373666/the-primrose-international-viola-competition Relegated to the alto voice in most compositions, the viola has risen to greater prominence thanks to William Primrose and those who aspire to his virtuosity. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1310684/the-story-on-aluminum-violins-violas-and-cellos Here's to thinking outside of the (string peg) box. But from a 21st century perspective, covering the aluminum with faux wood was a poor aesthetic choice. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1354848/the-stradivarius-instruments-of-the-met-museum New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art has several Strads that are played occasionally. But should rare instruments be mostly seen and rarely heard? https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1215594/the-violinmaking-school-of-brescia Political of the Renaissance ordered northern Italian cities in violinmaking. But bubonic plague hit Brescia a little harder as most of its luthiers perished. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1185962/the-violinmaking-school-of-cremona The traditions that gave us the best violins ever made continue in this northern Italian city. This heritage is even recognized by UNESCO. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1222561/the-violinmaking-school-of-venice Venice stood apart from the other Italian city-states, a blend of culture and art from a bigger world beyond southern Europe. Violins from there reflect this. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1381915/the-violins-of-isaac-stern Among the greatest of 20th century virtuosos, Stern left behind great violins and bows. His estate may have bungled it a bit, but the instruments endure. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1317536/the-violins-of-itzhak-perlman Every fine violin from the Italian luthiers has a story. But in the case of those played by Itzhak Perlman, the life stories of these instruments are bigger.