All Historical articles – Page 15
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Premium ❘ FeaturePöpel and Kurzendörffer: The Mists of Time Demystified
Just three Vogtland instruments exist from before 1700. All violas, they were made by two of the founders of the region’s first violin making guild.Klaus Martius explores what we know about the mysterious Johann Adam Pöpel and Johann Adam Kurzendörffer
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VideoBach on a 1659 Andrea Guarneri
In this video the violinist Federico Guglielmo plays Bach on a 1659 Andrea Guarneri.
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VideoA Far Cry performs Tchaikovsky’s Serenade on Cremonese instruments
Musicians from Boston chamber orchestra A Far Cry perform the first movement from Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings from memory on Cremonese instruments selected from the vault of Reuning & Son
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VideoWhittall Stradivarius Collection
Musicians talk about and demonstrate instruments donated to the Library of Congress by Gertrude Clarke Whittall in 1935. With Robert Mann, Alexis Galperine, Miles Hoffman, Rene Morel, Young Uck Kim, Daniel Phillips, and Samuel Zygmuntowicz.
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VideoYehudi Menuhin School student on a violin once played in Auschwitz
In this video, 18-year-old Kingsley Lin, who is currently studying at the Yehudi Menuhin School, performs on a violin once played by Rosa Levinsky in the Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra. Levinsky spent the last five months of the war in Bergen-Belsen, and on being released in 1945, was transferred to a ...
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NewsViolin played by woman in Auschwitz given new life by Yehudi Menuhin School pupils
18-year-old Kingsley Lin and 17-year-old Ezo Dem Sarici now play the instrument, once belonging to a member of the Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra
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Video1987 documentary on Stradivari featuring Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman presents this 1987 documentary about Stradivari, also featuring Yo-Yo Ma Anne-Sophie Mutter and Charles Beare.
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Premium ❘ FeatureRenzo Bacchetta, a legend in the making
Renzo Bacchetta’s wide-ranging influence on Cremona’s violin making culture and the promotion of Stradivari cannot be overstated, but as Luca Bastiani reveals, there is a darker side to the story, centring around Italy’s National Fascist Party
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FocusExploring the secrets of Stradivari's workshop
The workshop where Stradivari made the instruments of his golden period was demolished in 1938. Andrew Dipper uncovers the clues that give an insight into the great master's working environment
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Premium ❘ FeatureThe gain in Spain: German makers in Naples
In the 16th century, many European cities saw an influx of makers from Germany – and the cultural milieu and civic policies of Spanish-held Naples proved particularly attractive. Luigi Sisto explains how the expatriate community laid the groundwork for the city’s lutherie tradition
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Premium ❘ FeatureVuillaume's Early Years: The Making of a Master
Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume was the most successful French luthier of his time, but the first years of his career are still shrouded in mystery. Jonathan Marolle examines some of his earliest instruments to uncover the evolution of his technique and style
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Premium ❘ FeatureMichel Collichon: The Magnificent Ten
Just a handful of instruments by Michel Collichon have survived to the present day – but they demonstrate the skill and techniques of a master innovator. With a tenth example recently identified, Shem Mackey explains the appeal of the 17th-century viol maker to modern-day luthiers
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Premium ❘ FeatureJacob Stainer: reviewing the situation
It has long been assumed that Jacob Stainer received some training in Cremona – but the theory rests on slim evidence. Rudolf Hopfner explores a middle-period violin using micro-CT technology to cast doubt on what we think we knowWolfgang Schneiderhan
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Premium ❘ NewsAuction Report: January 2020
Old Italians and a modern bow proved popular at this autumn’s auctions, as Kevin MacDonald reports
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Premium ❘ FeatureOn the borders of greatness
Giuseppe Sgarbi’s instruments have a unique vibrancy and individuality, while still respecting the traditional Cremonese forms. Lorenzo Frignani examines his career, as well as that of his son Antonio, to suggest why his work deserves more recognition than it has in the past
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Premium ❘ GalleryFrom the Archive: a viola of the Gofriller School, Venice c.1700-10
An illustration of a viola of the Gofriller School published in The Strad, February 1962
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FeatureWitnesses to the fall
First published in the March 2014 issue to mark 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, nine string players and makers from the East and West sides here reveal the stark contrast between life on either side of the divide
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Premium ❘ FeatureLike Fathers, Like Sons
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Émile Auguste Ouchard, as well as the 40th of his son Bernard – both regarded as among the 20th century’s finest bow makers. Thomas Martin, Andrew McGill, Martin Lawrence and George Martin examine the legacy of the Ouchard dynasty, particularly ...
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Premium ❘ GalleryFrom the Archive: an ornamented violin believed to be the work of J.B. Vuillaume
This illustration of a violin by J.B. Vuillaume was published in The Strad, February 1974. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs
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Premium ❘ GalleryFrom the Archive: a Joseph Rocca violin, 1836
This illustration of a Joseph Rocca violin was published in The Strad, May 1938. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs