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Stradivarius: Five Violins, One Cello and a Genius
 
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Stradivarius: Five Violins, One Cello and a Genius (Hardcover)

by Toby Faber (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Macmillan (20 Aug 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0333989767
  • ISBN-13: 978-0333989760
  • Product Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 323,124 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #56 in  Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Instruments > Cello
    #66 in  Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Italy

Product Description

Product Description

This is the remarkable tale of Antonio Stradivari, the greatest instrument maker of all time, and what happened to the violins he created. Everyone has some idea of the legendary quality and unbelievable price tag of a Stradivarius violin, but much of the life of this genius remains obscure; his motivations and techniques hitherto unexplored. In this, the first popular account of the Stradivari phenomena, Toby Faber explores the life and methods of this unsurpassed craftsman. Following the life of his instruments as they pass through the hands of many of the greatest musicians that have ever lived, we learn how and why they have become objects of such veneration and desire. Its a dramatic tale of grand artistry, fantastic music, shady dealers, forgery and science.


From the Publisher

"Toby Faber’s engaging new book on Antonio Stradivari traces the history of a handful of his instruments–their biographies, who played them, where they went–and through it we learn a lot about how violins are made and the music world. It’s fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable reading."
–Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring

"A captivating book that follows the trail of six of Stradivari’s creations. Like strange totems that cast an irresistible spell, these instruments bring out the best and the worst of those who would own them, and Faber deftly tells the stories in all their rich and surprising detail. Avarice and intrigue compete with generosity and love of music in a drama that Faber brings alive at every turn. An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read."
–Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left Bank

"Faber's fresh narrative style will appeal to many readers, specialists included . . . It is full of interesting facts and anecdotes." – Guardian

"an inspired idea for a book. Because these instruments and their players have reputations that have endured, Faber has been able to find fine tales that hang on each of them." – Daily Telegraph

"Faber is chatty, user-friendly, eagerly non-elitist, and minimising of sources, yet his passion for his subject, his painstaking research, his faith in the integrity of musicianship and craftsmanship lift this book above gossip for the string-playing classes." – Financial Times

"more enthralling, earthy and illuminating than any fiction could possibly be . . . Peppered with anecdotes, fascinating detail and a dry English wit Peppered with anecdotes, fascinating detail and a dry English wit" –New York Times

"[Toby Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination with Stradivari's life and trade" - Chicago Tribune


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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A page-turning history, 1 Sep 2004
By Francis Norton (London, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
Subtitled "Five Violins, One Cello and a Genius" this is also the unpretentiously enlightening story of their players, owners, dealers and patrons.

Focussing on the six instruments keeps it digestible - along the way we get some understanding of what makes a Strad, how they acquired their reputation, of how the dealers dealt and of how friendship comes to conflict amongst the players.

Faber lets the events and some remarkable interviews, memoirs and letters tell the story, and unfolds a story of technology and art, greed and beauty.

I enjoyed every minute of it, and I suspect others will too.

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5.0 out of 5 stars History of 5 violins and the Davidov Cello, 11 Jul 2009
By T. B. Vree (Nijmegen, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Very nice history of the five violins (Messiah, Viotti, Knevenhuller, Paganini, Lipinski) and the Davidov Cello and their players.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, 13 May 2009
By Liz Ramsay (Birmingham, UK) - See all my reviews
This is a good read whether you're interested in history or stringed instruments or both. It is accessable and well structured and though I don't usually read non-fiction I enjoyed this.
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