author
Henry Saint-George
1866–1917
A violinist, editor, and music writer from late Victorian London, he brought unusual warmth and curiosity to subjects that many readers would have found highly technical. His best-known work explores the history and craft of the bow, turning a specialist topic into a lively piece of musical storytelling.
1 Audiobook
The Bow, Its History, Manufacture and Use 'The Strad' Library, No. III.
by Henry Saint-George
About the author
Born in London in 1866, Henry Saint-George was an English instrumentalist and writer on music. Reference works describe him as the son of George Saint-George, and note that he studied the violin with his father before appearing with him in concerts featuring early instruments.
He is especially remembered for The Bow: Its History, Manufacture and Use, a book that helped draw attention to an essential part of string playing that often sits in the violin's shadow. He also worked as editor of The Strad, placing him close to the practical world of performers, makers, and music lovers.
Saint-George wrote on more than one subject, with other books including The Place of Science in Music and The Young Man from Stratford. He died in London in 1917, leaving behind work that still appeals to readers interested in musical craft, performance history, and the culture around string instruments.