Description: Stradivari's Genius by Toby Faber Almost everyone knows what a Stradivarius is, yet now is told the amazing story of Antonio Stradivari, the 17th-century Italian whose incomparable craftsmanship single-handedly revolutionized the violin and therefore the entire history of Western music. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Antonio Stradivari (1644—1737) was a perfectionist whose single-minded pursuit of excellence changed the world of music. In the course of his long career in the northern Italian city of Cremona, he created more than a thousand stringed instruments; approximately six hundred survive, their quality unequalled by any subsequent violin-maker. In this fascinating book, Toby Faber traces the rich, multilayered stories of six of these peerless creations–five violins and a cello–and the one towering artist who brought them into being. Blending history, biography, meticulous detective work, and an abiding passion for music, Faber takes us from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, and from the breakthroughs of Beethovens last quartets to the first phonographic recordings. This magnificent narrative invites us to share the life, the intrigue, and the incomparable beauty of the worlds most marvelous stringed instruments. Flap "Tis God gives skill, but not without mens hands: He could not make Antonio Stradivaris violins without Antonio." -George Eliot Antonio Stradivari (1644--1737) was a perfectionist whose single-minded pursuit of excellence changed the world of music. In the course of his long career in the northern Italian city of Cremona, he created more than a thousand stringed instruments; approximately six hundred survive. In this fascinating book, Toby Faber traces the rich, multilayered stories of six of these peerless instruments-five violins and a cello-and the one towering artist who brought them into being. Blending history, biography, meticulous detective work, and an abiding passion for music, Faber embarks on an absorbing journey as he follows some of the most prized instruments of all time. Mysteries and unanswered questions proliferate from the outset-starting with the enigma of Antonio Stradivari himself. What made this apparently unsophisticated craftsman so special? Why were his techniques not maintained by his successors? How is it that even two and a half centuries after his death, no one has succeeded in matching the purity, depth, and delicacy of a Stradivarius? In Fabers illuminating narrative, each of the six fabled instruments becomes a character in its own right-a living entity cherished by artists, bought and sold by princes and plutocrats, coveted, collected, hidden, lost, copied, and occasionally played by a musician whose skill matches its makers. Here is the fabulous Viotti, named for the virtuoso who enchanted all Paris in the 1780s, only to fall foul of the French Revolution. Paganini supposedly made a pact with the devil to transform the art ofthe violin-and by the end of his life he owned eleven Strads. Then theres the Davidov cello, fashioned in 1712 and lovingly handed down through a succession of celebrated artists until, in the 1980s, it passed into the capable hands of Yo-Yo Ma. From the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, from the breakthroughs of Beethovens last quartets to the first phonographic recordings, Faber unfolds a narrative magnificent in its range and brilliant in its detail. "A great violin is alive," said Yehudi Menuhin of his own Stradivarius. In the pages of this book, Faber invites us to share the life, the passion, the intrigue, and the incomparable beauty of the worlds most marvelous stringed instruments. "From the Hardcover edition. Author Biography Born in Cambridge, England, in 1965, TOBY FABER now lives in London with his wife and daughter. He was previously managing director of his familys renowned publishing firm, Faber and Faber. This is his first book. Review "Fascinating . . . lively . . . more enthralling, earthy and illuminating than any fiction could be."–The New York Times Book Review"A celebration of six instruments and the master craftsman who made them . . . [Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination with Stradivaris life and trade. . . . He writes with clarity and fluency."–Chicago Tribune"An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read. 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."–Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left Bank"As Faber traces the history of these standout strings, many engrossing subplots emerge. . . . A worthy contribution to the ongoing legend of Stradivari."–Minneapolis Star Tribune"Fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable."–Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring Long Description Antonio Stradivari (1644--1737) was a perfectionist whose single-minded pursuit of excellence changed the world of music. In the course of his long career in the northern Italian city of Cremona, he created more than a thousand stringed instruments; approximately six hundred survive, their quality unequalled by any subsequent violin-maker. In this fascinating book, Toby Faber traces the rich, multilayered stories of six of these peerless creations-five violins and a cello-and the one towering artist who brought them into being. Blending history, biography, meticulous detective work, and an abiding passion for music, Faber takes us from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, and from the breakthroughs of Beethovens last quartets to the first phonographic recordings. This magnificent narrative invites us to share the life, the intrigue, and the incomparable beauty of the worlds most marvelous stringed instruments. Review Quote "Fascinating . . . lively . . . more enthralling, earthy and illuminating than any fiction could be." The New York Times Book Review "A celebration of six instruments and the master craftsman who made them . . . [Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination with Stradivaris life and trade. . . . He writes with clarity and fluency." Chicago Tribune "An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read. 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." Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left Bank "As Faber traces the history of these standout strings, many engrossing subplots emerge. . . . A worthy contribution to the ongoing legend of Stradivari." Minneapolis Star Tribune "Fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable." Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring Excerpt from Book Chapter One Five violins and one cello The Messiah, the Viotti, the Khevenh Details ISBN0375760857 Author Toby Faber Short Title STRADIVARIS GENIUS Language English ISBN-10 0375760857 ISBN-13 9780375760853 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2006 Birth 1965 Subtitle Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection DOI 10.1604/9780375760853 Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2006-04-04 NZ Release Date 2006-04-04 US Release Date 2006-04-04 UK Release Date 2006-04-04 Pages 288 Publisher Random House USA Inc Publication Date 2006-04-04 Imprint Random House Inc DEWEY 787.219092 Illustrations 19 B/W ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGOUT Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 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Format: Paperback
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Book Title: Stradivari's Genius
