The Violin Its Famous Makers and Their Imitators

"The Violin" by George Hart is a historical exploration of violin making, tracing its development and celebrating influential creators. The book starts by looking at the ambiguous roots of the violin, considering different ideas about where it came from and the stories that have grown up around it. Hart looks at whether the violin's ancestors were from the East or from Scandinavia. He points out that while the violin's early story is interesting, there isn't much solid proof, especially when it comes to how bowed instruments changed before the violin as we know it was created. This look at the beginning of the violin helps readers appreciate the skill that went into making such an important instrument.