The violin and the art of its construction: a treatise on the Stradivarius violin

This hour‑long treatise opens with a warmly personal dedication, then moves into a clear, step‑by‑step exploration of what makes a violin sing. The author, a seasoned 19th‑century maker, shares four decades of hands‑on experience, describing the choice of wood, the shaping of ribs, and the careful arching of the belly and back. Readers will hear vivid explanations of how each component—purfling, f‑holes, bass‑bar, and even the varnish—contributes to tone and stability.

The work is organized like a workshop manual, with short sections on the neck, fingerboard, pegbox, bridge, and sound‑post, plus practical advice on cleaning, care, and bow making. Illustrated by detailed lithographs, the guide offers both the theory behind classic Italian models and the pragmatic adjustments that modern makers still use. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation of the craft that produced the legendary Stradivarius and a toolbox of ideas they can apply to any instrument they touch.