Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-06-14

picsCINdticil vi tllciI IlCll NdlIileIi diIu
for the signature of the maker The
maker OF this greatest class OF vlolins
was Joseph Guarnerius, also OF Gre.
mona. There were two makers Of this
name, uncle and nephew, and, in order
to distinguish their instruments, the
elder man put cross beside his sigma
ture. In time, from this circumstance
they came to be distinguished by
name as the Guarnerius del Jesu VIC
Inns, and my concert violin is one ol
those precious del Jesu instruments.
al have had my finest violin about
twenty years and have become SC
much attached to it that nothing
could induce me to part with it. ]
have had large offers for it and l think
it would readily bring $4,000. How
ever, the instrument upon which |
made my reputation was a violin by
the younger Guarnerius, dated 1927.
This | used for years in concert and
now do most Of my practicing On it.
To keep it in the best condition, a vio-
lin should have constant use but only
for limited time each day. l think
two or three hours work is about
right.
1t is not enough to get genuine
Guarnerius or Stradaverius one must
know its date, for violin makers had
their rise and decline. To get the
best, one should have violin made by
Joseph Guarnerius, the elder, at his
best period, say between his thirtie.h
and forty-eighth year."
"How does it come that the Strada.
verii are better known by reputation
than the Guarnerii?"
"The difference is not so much in
quality OF tone as in the volume" was
the reply. Formerly that was scarce.
ly noticeable, but as the balls have
grown to such immense size the Strad-
averii have gradually Jagged behind
and the Guarnerii are tho only instru-
ments left that fully meet the need.
Just think of the strangeuess OF it
that 200 years before there was any
need OF such volume and resonance it
should have been supplied. Why, 1
don't suppose violin playing Of that
time brought out half the possibilities
OF the instruments, even when you
leave out the beautiful qualities which
mellowing age has given to the instru.
ments. Even the last twenty-five
years has seen wonderful changes in
violin playing and undreamed-of diff
culties have been added, which have
realized effects that before were be-
lieved TO be unattainable."
"It makes one sad to think that
such wonderfully skilled workmen
could never enjoy the full fruits OF
their glorious labors."
"You want to hear how found my
treasured violin? Well, l was in Eng
land at the time of the sale of the
estate OF elliott, the inventor of steel
pens. Among his goods was collec-
ton of rare musical Instruments and
this was purchased by one of the most
remarkable dealers in musical instru-
ments ever known. His knowledge oil
instruments was almost beyond belief
and this was combined with absolute
honesty. One could send to George
Hart from any part OF the world for
anthing desired and rest assured that
his order would be filled perfectly, il
possible, and if not, that he would be
informed of the exact state of the
case.
"Mr. Hart knew that l had been
seeking one of the matchless del Jesu
viOlins and as soon as he purchased
the collection he notified me that
should have the first choice of the in.
struments. I had some difficulty in
deciding between the one l have and
another whose appearance was better
preserved. However, the thing that
decided me was the wonderful evenness
OF the four strings, which is as i'm
portant as it is unusual. Often in in.
struments of excellent reputation the
disonance is unpleasantly marked.
"Some might wonder why I have
said nothing about the wonderful
Amati violins. These have the most
beautiful tone imaginable, but theil
volume is SO small as to put them out
OF consideration for general concert
purposes. For small halls, however
they are Incompatible"
Violins suggesting bows, Madame
Urso was asked if her bow was as old
and interesting as her fiddle.
| "Oh, no; good bow-makers are
comparatively modern; have nc
idea what kind of bows were used in
the golden age of violin-making. And
I think there has been only one salts
factory bow-maker, Tourte. l do not
use Tourte bow, now, although one
of the most interesting experiences
ever had was with Tourte bow and
have owned and used several of them
Now l use q Dobbs bow, a rather
heavy English make that is liked by
some players. / should still be tht
possessor of my splendid Tourte bow
but for an interesting occurrence o
which l must tell you.
| "My first violin teacher, Felix 81