A brief biography of Stradivari and an accompanying microhistory of five of his violins and one of his cellos.
I generally love microhistories and this one sounded so fascinating. But sadly, it's...not. Instead, it's pretty dry, actually, which is disappointing. ( )

Beautifully written book that follows the "lives" of five violins and one cello made by Antonio Stradivarius. Includes bits on violin manufacture, biographies of the famous luthiers and musicians, and the strange world of trading in old stringed instruments. An informative and enjoyable book. ( )

Interesting how one woodcraftsman influenced such great musicians. ( )

Pearl Ruled:: STRADIVARI'S GENIUS by[TOBY FABER (p59)

I just don't care. Stradivarius is dead on p59, buried next to his wife and across the street from their house, and I simply do not care.

I'm interested in the eighteenth century, and I like microhistory, and all things Italian make me smile. What is it about this book that fails to ignite my very congruent interest? I wish I knew. The writing's okay, not world-beating but not leaden or inept. The idea of tracing famous instrument-maker Stradivarius's creations through time and space is appealing, too.

But this book could not grab me and did not entice me. I might pick it up again one day, but I don't know what would make me do so. *shrug* ( )

Stradivarius violins are reknown for their beauty and powerful voices. This book traces Antonio Stradivari's life, that of his children, and more importantly, the journeys made by 5 violins and 1 cello made by him. The Lipinski, the Viotti, the Messiah (which almost never was played), the Paganini and the Khevenhuller are the violins and their owners are followed and described in this book, and the Davidov, the cello currently owned and played on by YoYo Ma.

Having worked from violin designs from Nicolo Amati, another famous Cremona luthier, research provides descriptions of the adjustments that Stradivari made in the structure of his violins over time, perfecting the sounds can be coaxed from the more than 1000 instruments that were made in his workshop.

The secrets that Stradivari took to his grave continue to confound makers of violins, cellos and violas today. Despite all that technology allows today, there are no instruments that produce the beautiful depth of sound as beautifully as a Stradivari. ( )