The Violin Family and Its Makers in the British Isles: An Illustrated History and DirectoryThe contribution of the British Isles to the history of the violin family has been consistently under-estimated. For over 200 years England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland have produced many fine makers and an abundance of quality instruments and bows, now sought after around the world. In addition London has for over 100 years been an important centre for restoring, dealing in, collecting, and exhibiting the finest products of Stradivari, Guarneri, and other Italian masters - an important source of inspiration.Professor Harvey explains in detail the history of violin-making in Britain, from one of the earliest extant English instruments made of iron by John Bunyan in about 1647, to the extensive British craft industry of today, including within his book a comprehensive directory of violin-and-bow-makers of the British Isles, with auction prices. The book includes numerous high-quality colour and monochrome illustrations, including samples of the work of the major craftsmen involved. Throughout most of this history the scene has been dominated by the Hill family, which for over 250 years has produced instruments and bows of the highest quality, and their influence is fully assessed. The book is also a social and economic history of stringed instruments, showing how in England in particular the violin was slow to win acceptance by association with gypsies and the devil, and how the cello became the instrument favoured by royalty and the aristocracy. The demand for instruments at any particular time is gauged against musical activity in the country.The book is the first in any language to deal with the vast and fascinating subject in this way and in such depth. As such, it will be welcomed by makers, dealers internationally, auction houses, collectors, teachers, players, and students of stringed instruments. |
Contents
Artistry and Acoustic Design I The Violin World 2 The Significance of Demand | 5 |
Early Bowed Instruments of the Violin Type 10 Introduction of the Violin into | 34 |
ENGLISH VIOLINMAKERS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY | 66 |
Copyright | |
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Alburger amateur Amati amongst appears Arthur became Benjamin Banks Betts bow-maker bows branded British Violin Makers cellos Chanot Charles classic Italian colour concerts Contemporary maker copies Credited Cremona crwth Daniel Parker dealers Dictionary Directory Dodd double basses Dublin Duke early Edinburgh Edward Edward Heron-Allen eighteenth century England English instruments English makers Exhibition Fendt fiddle firm George German Glasgow Guarneri Hart Henley Henry Heron-Allen Hill & Sons Hill Archive Hill collection History Ibid instru Italian Italian instruments James John Dilworth Joseph known label London Lott Manchester Mayson ments Meredith Morris modern Musical Instruments musicians nineteenth century oil varnish orchestra Panormo particularly PLATE played players produced professional pupil purfling reputation Retford Sandys and Forster Scotland Scottish scroll soundholes Stainer Strad Stradivari stringed instruments Thomas tone trade Tubbs varnish violas violin family violin-making violinist Violoncello viols W. E. Hill Wales William Forster wood workmanship workshop