On December 13, we celebrate World Violin Day. On this occasion, we have collected some interesting facts about this unique instrument.
First, a quick reminder of the basics – the violin is a composite chordophone, the smallest of the group of string instruments, with the highest pitch. The body is usually made of maple or spruce wood, and the bow is made of synthetic fibres or horsetail hair.
The first violin was built probably by Andrea Amati, founder of Cremona violin-making school, around 1550.
Some researchers trace the origins of the instrument to eleventh-century gusle from Polish lands and fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Polish violins. And since we are here – it is worth mentioning the Polish school of violin making, associated mainly with the Groblicz and Dankwart families (be sure to check it out in Pictures!). The most famous luthier’s workshop was undoubtedly the workshop of the Italian builder Antonio Stradivari. His workshop created over 1,000 string instruments, mainly violins. The oldest surviving model of “Messiah” dates back to 1666 (its estimated value is approximately $20,000,000).
Bonus – do you know that there is an unusual string instrument called the bladder fiddle? It is far from a classical violin, but it is worth getting acquainted with it as a trivia.
Let’s also have a look at the collection of sheet music for violin available in Polish Music Library:
- There are around 270 pieces.
- Among the authors, Grażyna Bacewicz and Witold Krotkiewski dominate, but there are also works by Henryk Wieniawski, Mikołaj Górecki and Aleksander Lasoń.
- Pro tip: to search for violin songs, select the topic “muzyka na skrzypce” in the filters or enter “skrzypce” in the Cast field.
Sources:
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Ciekawostki o skrzypcach [in:] Ciekawostki, https://ciekawostki.online/ciekawostki/644/o-skrzypcach/ [access: 11.12.2023]
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Skrzypce [in:] Wikipedia, https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skrzypce [dostęp: 11.12.2023]
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12 najdroższych skrzypiec na świecie [in:] Polskie Lutnictwo 31.08.2015, http://portal.polskielutnictwo.pl/12-najdrozszych-skrzypiec-na-swiecie [access: 11.12.2023]