All Historical articles – Page 22
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FocusThe 1724 ‘Cecil’ Stradivarius – a masterpiece unseen and unheard
Despite having been examined by some of the best-known experts in history, the violin has spent centuries largely hidden – until now. John Dilworth examines one of the least regarded instruments by the Cremonese master
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VideoThe Strad Calendar 2019: the ‘Kustendyke’ Stradivarius of 1699
Our 2019 calendar brings together twelve of the finest instruments ever made by Antonio Stradivari, all of which were on display at the Tokyo Stradivarius Festival, where the video below was taken. Description by Alessandra Barabaschi
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FocusThe secrets of the Brescian lutherie tradition
While the Cremonese making tradition has been well documented, that of neighbouring Brescia has remained mysterious. Evan Davenport examines the available evidence for clues to the working methods of the region
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FocusIn focus: a 1927 'Stroh' violin by Buffa Baretti
In this article from the January 2012 issue of The Strad, Christopher Germain examines the history and construction of an unusual horn violin made in Trieste
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FocusIn focus: an 1800 viola by Giovanni Gagliano
Carlo Chiesa takes a look at a viola which makes up in warm and powerful sound what it may lack in luxury materials [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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FocusPiecing together the history of the
'Mara' Stradivari celloIts fate was almost to be consigned to the murky depths of an Uruguayan river but it continues to delight and inspire audiences of the present day. Alessandra Barabaschi delves into the dramatic life of the ‘Mara’ Strad
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FocusHow Eugène Sartory became France's most important bow maker
Isaac Salchow and Stephan Jansen explore what Eugène Sartory’s hidden treasures tell us about the evolution of his style
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FocusIn focus: A 1791 Aegidius Klotz violin
John Dilworth explores an instrument that showcases the finest achievements of the Mittenwald school [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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FocusIn focus: an 1868 Amati copy by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume
David Bonsey examines a study in unsurpassed elegance and technical mastery from the most successful maker and dealer of the 19th century [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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FocusWhat is the secret behind Stradivari’s red violins?
Varnish maker Joe Robson explores the mystery of the special deep red varnish colour that makes Antonio Stradivari’s later instruments so attractive
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FocusIn focus: a 1895 violin by Eugenio Degani
A very fine and representative example from the most accomplished period of the grandfather of the modern Venetian school. Article by Roland Baumgartner, photos by Gertrud M. Reuter
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FocusIn focus: Pablo Casals' 1733 Goffriller cello
The cello on which Pablo Casals made his landmark recordings was for a long time believed to be by Bergonzi, writes Philip Kass
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GalleryIn focus: the 1744 'de Bériot' Guarneri 'del Gesù'
In this article from July 2015, David Rattray takes a look at a highly refined instrument that kicks against the constraints of conformity
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FocusIn focus: the 1686 'Helvetica' Stradivari
In this article from the December 2015 issue, David Bonsey takes a look at a violin from early in its maker’s career, but already a few steps along a crucial design evolution
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VideoExperimental 1872 cello played by Raphaël Pidoux
In this video from the Musée de la musique at the Philharmonie de Paris, Raphaël Pidoux plays an experimental cello made by luthier Thomas Zach in 1872. The piece is the Humoreske op.11 no.2 by David Popper, the cellist who showcased this very instrument at the Vienna World’s Fair in ...
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FocusIn focus: cello by Giovanni Grancino, 1693
In this article from the January 2006 issue of The Strad, Ed Keohane studies a cello which had just been sold at Sotheby’s for nearly £210,000. Photographs by Richard Valencia
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FocusThe Strad poster: the 1741 ‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri
Additional measurements including weights and densities of the top and back plates
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FocusIn focus: The ‘Carrodus’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’
In this article from the April 2007 issue, John Dilworth takes a close look at a violin made when ‘del Gesù’ was at his most imaginative and creative
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NewsNew record set for G.B. Guadagnini at London auction
The ‘Sinzheimer’ violin pushes past $2m mark in Tarisio auction, breaking previous record for maker set in 2016
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GalleryIn focus: violin by G.B. Rogeri
In this article from the October 2009 issue, Philip Kass untangles Rogeri, Rugeri and the last Amati in taking a closer look at a late 17th-century violin by the first
