The Violin Maker: A Search for the Secrets of Craftsmanship, Sound, and Stradivari

I ordered this book because I saw a news clip featuring the Orchestra del Mare. This orchestra gives concerts in La Scala, playing Bach and Vivaldi. The musicians use violins, violas, cellos, and a double bass crafted by gifted Italians incarcerated in Milan’s Opera prison using remnants from migrant boats! How does one make a violin from that?The Violin Maker is a gem of a book about the world of violins written in a debonair jaunty style by a professional musician and writer, John Marchese. He follows each step of the construction of a violin by a Master craftsman Sam Zygmuntowicz. Sam is something of a genius in these matters and has made instruments for Isaac Stern, Joshua Bell, and Yo Yo Ma, no less. His quest is to build the perfect violin, one that stands out for its pitch and sound and ease of use, one that produces magic music such as those of the Cremona masters. There is no one who knows exactly how to do that. Stradivarius and his competitors left no notes!Construction begins with the selection of a block of wood from a tree, in this case from a spruce near Cremona and ends with the application of varnishes. In all, a complicated endeavor demanding patience and a philosophical soul. It entails hundreds of minute steps and numerous variables that weigh on one another to one degree or another. We sense the tension as the fiddle nears completion and await its deliveryto Gene Drucker, the musician who commissioned it. We feel the suspense of not knowing how it will sound and how it will be received? Just a glimpse into a fabulous read.

I've only just started playing the violin so I am a neophyte in this arena, but I've always been taken by the craftsmanship it takes to construct this instrument. John Marchese takes the reader through an enjoyable journey into the world of the luthier, those from the 1700s and today. The heart of the book is Marchese's experience with one renowned luthier who takes on a job building a new violin for a legendary performer, one who is extremely picky. Along the way, the author gives us the history of the violin, the men who made their craft famous and even a city which is indelibly linked to the instrument.I have to admit, I was concerned that Marchese would delve too much into the history of music, and I was not looking forward to a music appreciation class. However, this thankfully was not the case as the story moves along, providing just enough historical perspective to paint the perfect backdrop to move the narrative forward. Perhaps my only complaint is that after getting all the way to the end of the book and the actual finish to the violin build things felt rushed. It's almost as if the author got tired at this point and decided to wrap it up. Maybe I'm being too harsh, but the sense of this is the only thing that kept me from giving it a five-star rating.Ultimately, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves violin music (or violins or just music) or reading about true craftsmen at work.

Even if you are not a violinist or collector The Violin Maker is a fascinating book. It seamlessly blends the mystique of violin making with the genius of Stradivarius and modern maker Sam Zgmuntowicz. Weaving a fascinating narrative of two prodigies, it shares how they blended their adept skills as part woodworkers, part engineers and part shamans in their craft. However, it was their incendiary passionate quest for the holy grail of perfection that became the magical elixir that manifested their timeless masterpieces. The benefits of  intensive study, precision and dedication are clearly evident through the book and affirms that genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. A great read for anyone who needs to kick start their inspiration. Highly recommended.

How is a $25,000 violin made? Painstakingly and with great knowledge, respect for tradition, craftsmanship and a few secrets. Tiny details can make a resounding difference to the ear as there are many things to fret about in making a sound instrument. The first person connection to the artist by the author, and an easy friendly writing style, put this book high on my list as an entertaining and enjoyable source of learning and understanding. I’d recommend it to any musician or wannabe like me who enjoys learning new things by an author of note. Score this one a winner

This book was an enjoyable (if far too short) of a read. However, I cannot give it five stars because the book disappointed me. The title suggested that this would be a technical look into exactly what makes a fancy wooden box sound like a violin. Instead, it was a description of certain people, who presumably new the answer but who either did not reveal it to the author or else the author failed to pass the info on to his readers. The people story was interesting enough, but where's the meat?

This is a very well written book by a trumpet player (I played the trumpet but can't write as well as this author) who share a story on how violins are made, including the history of where they came from. Like the author I always wanted to know something about the violin and in reading this book I learned more about music that I didn't know. Very well written and I enjoyed it. I do plan to give to several of my friends who are also musicians.

i cherish that i can be walked through the experience psychologically and physically (and this by one of today’s most gifted luthiers) of creating a new instrument and one intended very specifically for the wants and needs and tone-wished-after of one particular and very gifted violinist who is not completely pleased with his current strad...

As one who has done repairs to wind instruments for years, I found this book brilliantly informative and entertaining. The author, a wind instrumentalist, takes a subject that would be interesting to luthiers and a few string players and turns it into a lively and investigative study that will charm readers to their quick.

Enjoying it so far. If you're interested in lutherie (string instrument making), Stradivarius, or Zygnuntowicz, just get it and enjoy.

Great book!! just started reading it and can not stop, A great book for anyone that enjoys playing the violin or is intreated in the violin, worth reading !! or even if you slightly interested in the violin, an great sight by an non-violin musical player

I enjoyed the book. The relationship between client and luthier and the process of trying to understand the sound the musician would like from the violin, before construction begins. You won’t learn anything about how to make a violin, or any “trade secrets “ But Sam Z,s views on the world of violins was of interest to me.