Violin

The violin’s antecedents derive from the Middle East and Asia and it was brought to Europe during the early Renaissance era via mercantile nations such as Venice. The first violins to have four strings were made in the 16th century and were thereafter refined to improve the sound quality and projection. Violin makers are called luthiers, the most famous being Italian – the Amati, Guarneri and most importantly the Stradivari families. Stradivarius violins are highly prized for the quality of craftsmanship and their beauty of tone and are consequently very valuable. The expressive qualities of the violin have led it to become the dominant instrument in the orchestra. The String Quartet, the most popular form of chamber music, consists of two violins. Down the centuries the violin has also been used to demonstrate virtuosity of the highest order exemplified in the playing of, for example, Paganini, Kreisler, Heifetz and latterly Anne-Sophie Mutter, amongst many others.