ECU Libraries Catalog

Cremona violins : a physicist's quest for the secrets of Stradivari / Kameshwar C. Wali.

Author/creator Wali, K. C. (Kameshwar C.)
Format Video (DVD), Book, and Print
Publication InfoHackensack, NJ : World Scientific, ©2010.
Descriptionxv, 157 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm + 1 videodisc (DVD : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.)
Subject(s)
Contents Luigi Tarisio and the violins of Cremona -- The rise and fall of the Cremonese art of violin making: Antonio Stradivari (1644c-1737) -- The anatomy of a violin and the mechanism of sound production -- Some historical notes on violin research over centuries -- William F. Fry and his quest for the secrets of Cremona violins -- Myth & reality of Cremona violins ; Fry's violins -- A convergence of science and art.
Abstract Cremona violins occupy a unique and storied place in violin history. This book contains a brief account of that history--the rise and fall of the Cremonese art of violin making that dominated over two centuries. It is primarily devoted, however, to the physics behind violin acoustics, specifically the research of William F "Jack" Fry over the past several decades. The gradual evolution of his ideas leading to a holistic approach is chronicled, in sharp contrast to the conventional "reductionist" analysis. With rare insights, he has come closer than anyone before in reproducing the tonal qualities of the great Italian masters. This historic achievement makes the book extremely valuable for violin makers and violin researchers, enabling young and aspiring violinists to own excellent sounding instruments with the acoustical marvels of the old at affordable prices. The accompanying video features Fry's demonstration of how and why minute changes in thickness graduations make predictable changes in tonal qualities of an instrument.
Local noteJOYNER MUSIC LIBRARY BOOK ACCOMPANIED BY DVD LOCATED AT CALL NUMBER MusicLib DVD-826.
General noteAccompanying DVD contains a video discussion of violin making and a demonstration of a Fry violin.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 151-153) and index.
LCCN 2010561330
ISBN9789812791092 (hbk.)
ISBN9812791094 (hbk.)
ISBN9789812791108 (pbk.)
ISBN9812791108 (pbk.)

Available Items

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Music Media - Ask at Circulation Desk DVD-826 ✔ Available Place Hold
Music Music Stacks ML830.8.C74 W35 2010 ✔ Available Place Hold