Violins of Plymouth: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Violin- the Instrument of the Devil?

Is the violin the "Devil's Instrument"? Apparently it is. For nearly 400 years it has been persistently related to Satan! Giuseppe Tartini wrote the "Devil's Trill Sonata", a devilishly difficult piece with demanding double stops.Legend has it he had six digits on one hand! He played an instrument by Antonio Stradivarius; maybe this helped.

Similar tales are encountered. Niccolo Paganini, the great Italian violinist and composer, was widely believed to have made a pact with the devil to perfect his playing! When he died in 1840, he was denied a Catholic burial in Genoa. He was not buried until 1876 and then in Parma. But he was said to be the best violinist.

Is your violin possessed? Should it be? Do you play especially well?

Can you play very fast?

Maybe your friends think you have six digits!

Popular music continues the legend! Charlie Daniels, check out YouTube, does "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". Nice!

Recently, Minnesota Public Radio did a piece, "Violin- The Devil's Instrument"! Google it.

More to follow... Maybe a violin rave on Halloween!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Stradivarius violin

Cremona was the the location of political turmoil in the 1500-1700 period as the luthier art progressed with rule passing to the Venetians in 1499, the Duchy of Milan , and then the Spanish in 1513. Bubonic plague returned to Lombardy in 1630. Viol and violin fabrication shifted from Brecia to Cremona. The scene was set for Antonio Stradivarius!

His instruments were frequently orange/brown in varnish color. His workmanship was spectacular.

At Violins of Plymouth, the Strad "orange" has been reproduced with much attention to the "bee stings" at the corners! The 1720 mold was utilized.

The instrument length is just over 14".

As in the original, profiling was flatter than earlier instruments by Amati and Maggini.

The bold sound derived from the flatter profile was more fully appreciated 100 years later with the advent of solo performances in larger settings!

Perfect for the Mendelssohn concerto in d!

This is NOT an example of a varnish by Stradivarius!

More Stradivarius reproductions will follow.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Louis XIV, patron of music and stringed instruments

This post recognizes Louis XIV as the primary patron of music in the Baroque period and an individual who preferred stringed instruments of fine design and quality! His court at Versailles, defined music in the Baroque period. Music was used as a state entertainment and frequently accomplished political goals.

He, himself, performed as a dancer. This period featured the "masque" , a mixture of dance, drama and ballet. His 1653 performance as Apollo (Sun god) in Lully's Ballet de la Nuit" resulted in the name "Sun King"! Petits Violons" was the name of an elite group of strings, many viola da gambas and viola da braccios.

At Violins of Plymouth these instruments have been reproduced as four string violas.

These fine instruments are wonderful for chamber music from all periods!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

History of volins and violin making in Plymouth

A short post concerning the history of violins in Plymouth, Massachusetts (home of Violins of Plymouth). There was no history and no violins in Plimoth!

Settlers were interested in the Puritan church and worship. Services included no instrumental music. Not for
a century or more!

They traveled light. And late in the year. Bad weather was typical.

William Bradford was the leader.He is never portrayed as smiling?

Yes, a fort was necessary despite the TG celebration.

Relations with native Americans were occasionally troublesome (King Phillip War).

Living quarters were primitive.

Wives were kept busy.

Some workers were not compensated!

Farming was essential to provide sufficient food. Food was basic!

The intrepid leader encouraged all to work and pray! No violins and no music. No violin making. Back in the home country his Puritan cohort, Oliver Cromwell, was busy assisting the English king Charles Stewart; shame Charles did not pray satisfactorily.