The Genius of Antonio Stradavari
The Genius of Antonio Stradavari
250 years after Antonio Stradivari’s death, his violins and cellos remain the world’s most highly-prized instruments. Loved by great musicians and capable of fetching fabulous sums when sold, their tone and beauty are legendary. Every subsequent violin-maker has tried to match them. Not one has succeeded. How can that be?Â
This lecture explores that central mystery by following some of Stradivari’s instruments from his workshop to the present day. It is a story that travels from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, from the breakthroughs of Beethoven’s last quartets to the first phonographic recordings. (The lecture includes musical extracts.)
An experienced lecturer, Toby Faber began his career with Natural Sciences at Cambridge, followed by investment banking, management consulting and five years as managing director of the publishing company founded by his grandfather, Faber and Faber, where he remains on the board. He is also non-executive Chairman of its sister company, Faber Music and a director of Liverpool University Press.Â
Toby has written a novel, Close to the Edge, and three works of narrative history, Stradivarius, Fabergé’s Eggs and Faber & Faber: The Untold Story. Of these, only the obvious one was published by Faber & Faber.
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