Born in Cambridge, England, in 1965, TOBY FABER now lives in London with his wife and daughter. He was previously managing director of his family’s renowned publishing firm, Faber and Faber. This is his first book.
“Fascinating . . . lively . . . more enthralling, earthy and
illuminating than any fiction could be.”
–The New York Times Book Review
“A celebration of six instruments and the master craftsman who made
them . . . [Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination
with Stradivari’s life and trade. . . . He writes with clarity and
fluency.”
–Chicago Tribune
“An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read. Like
strange totems that cast an irresistible spell, these instruments
bring out the best and the worst of those who would own them, and
Faber deftly tells the stories in all their rich and surprising
detail.”
–Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left Bank
“As Faber traces the history of these standout strings, many
engrossing subplots emerge. . . . A worthy contribution to the
ongoing legend of Stradivari.”
–Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable.”
–Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring
One of modern technology's greatest embarrassments is its inability to produce violins with the awesome musical qualities of those made almost 400 years ago by Stradivarius. This engaging appreciation celebrates the maestro's legacy by following the adventures of six of his instruments. Faber, the former managing director of British publishing house Faber and Faber, begins with a short account of Stradivari's life (1644-1737) and methods in the Italian city of Cremona, where violin-making techniques achieved their zenith. As the Cremonese violins passed through the hands of musicians, the instruments' rich tone and penetrating sonic power stimulated a new style of virtuoso violin-playing that held Europe's concert halls enthralled. And as time passed and the violins' value soared, they spawned whole new industries in collecting, appraising, curating and faking them. Faber's stylish account savors Stradivari's marvelous acoustics and the individual personalities of his instruments while exploring the science behind them (X-rays, chemical tests and tree-ring analysis have all been deployed to unlock their secrets) and regaling readers with colorful tales of the musicians who built their careers around them. The result is an illuminating look at an enduring cultural monument. Photos. Agent, Carlisle & Company. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
"Fascinating . . . lively . . . more enthralling, earthy and
illuminating than any fiction could be."
-The New York Times Book Review
"A celebration of six instruments and the master craftsman who made
them . . . [Faber] brings to the subject an infectious fascination
with Stradivari's life and trade. . . . He writes with clarity and
fluency."
-Chicago Tribune
"An extraordinary accomplishment and a compelling read. Like
strange totems that cast an irresistible spell, these instruments
bring out the best and the worst of those who would own them, and
Faber deftly tells the stories in all their rich and surprising
detail."
-Thad Carhart, author of The Piano Shop on the Left
Bank
"As Faber traces the history of these standout strings, many
engrossing subplots emerge. . . . A worthy contribution to the
ongoing legend of Stradivari."
-Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Fascinating, accessible, and enjoyable."
-Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring
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