History Violin

the cupola of madonna dei miracoli in saronno, angels playing violin, viola , cello, dates 1535 , 1 of earliest depictions of violin family

the earliest stringed instruments plucked (for example, greek lyre). two-stringed, bowed instruments, played upright , strung , bowed horsehair, may have originated in nomadic equestrian cultures of central asia, in forms closely resembling modern-day mongolian morin huur , kazakh kobyz. similar , variant types disseminated along east-west trading routes asia middle east, , byzantine empire.

the first makers of violins borrowed various developments of byzantine lira. these included rebec; arabic rebab; vielle (also known fidel or viuola); , lira da braccio violin in present form emerged in 16th-century northern italy. earliest pictures of violins, albeit 3 strings, seen in northern italy around 1530, @ around same time words violino , vyollon seen in italian , french documents. 1 of earliest explicit descriptions of instrument, including tuning, epitome musical jambe de fer, published in lyon in 1556. time, violin had begun spread throughout europe.

the violin proved popular, both among street musicians , nobility; french king charles ix ordered andrea amati construct 24 violins him in 1560. 1 of these noble instruments, charles ix, oldest surviving violin. finest renaissance carved , decorated violin in world gasparo da salò (c.1574) owned ferdinand ii, archduke of austria , later, 1841, norwegian virtuoso ole bull, used forty years , thousands of concerts, powerful , beautiful tone, similar of guarneri. messiah or le messie (also known salabue ) made antonio stradivari in 1716 remains pristine. located in ashmolean museum of oxford.

the famous violin makers (luthiers) between 16th century , 18th century include:

1658 baroque violin jacob stainer



the school of brescia, beginning in late 14th century liras, violettas, violas , active in field of violin in first half of 16th century

the dalla corna family, active 1510–1560 in brescia , venice
the micheli family, active 1530–1615 in brescia
the inverardi family active 1550–1580 in brescia
the gasparo da salò family, active 1530–1615 in brescia , salò
giovanni paolo maggini, student of gasparo da salò, active 1600–1630 in brescia


the school of cremona, beginning in half of 16th century violas , violone , in field of violin in second half of 16th century

the amati family, active 1550–1740 in cremona
the guarneri family, active 1626–1744 in cremona , venice
the stradivari family, active 1644–1737 in cremona


the school of venice, presence of several makers of bowed instruments 16th century out of more 140 makers of string instruments registered between 1490–1630.

the linarolo family, active 1505–1640 in venice
matteo goffriller, known celli, active 1685–1742 in venice
pietro guarneri, son of giuseppe giovanni battista guarneri , cremona, active 1717–1762 in venice
domenico montagnana, active circa 1700–1750 in venice
santo serafin, active before 1741 until 1776 in venice

significant changes occurred in construction of violin in 18th century, particularly in length , angle of neck, heavier bass bar. majority of old instruments have undergone these modifications, , hence in different state when left hands of makers, doubtless differences in sound , response. these instruments in present condition set standard perfection in violin craftsmanship , sound, , violin makers on world try come close ideal possible.

to day, instruments so-called golden age of violin making, made stradivari, guarneri del gesù , montagnana sought-after instruments both collectors , performers. current record amount paid stradivari violin £9.8 million (us$15.9 million), when instrument known lady blunt sold tarisio auctions in online auction on june 20, 2011.