The Golden Age of the Violin

The violin is well-known around the world for its ability to play seductive and fanciful tunes. The violin has two particular “golden-ages” to include the making of the violin to the sounds it played under the direction of famous composers such as Corelli and Vivaldi.

The golden age of violin making was brought about by such violin makers as Andrea Amati and Antonio Stradivari. During this period, 1700-1710, as many as 20,000 violins were produced. These violins were remarkable because attentive producers such as Stradivari used only the finest materials available and he made several modifications which include the overall swell of the top plate, the shape of the f-holes, as well as the modern shape of the bridge. Because the finest materials were used in the creation of these violins, they also needed to age, just like a fine wine. Some of the finest violins produced during this period were “broke-in” over a period of 5 to 50 years before they were used in public.

These modifications, as well as the breaking in period helped create fuller and richer sounds, as directed by composers such as Corelli and Vivaldi. Both composers created works, such as the concerto grossi and trio sonatas and these works were published across Europe. Because of the tremendous amount of violins and sheet music available during this period, the violin could be played in the homes of the average citizen as a pastime. Corelli himself had a distinguished method to playing the violin and rarely went above the D string. Because Corelli was able to use the finest violins from this golden age and with his ability to write works of art, he became well-known for his chamber music.