Beethoven

1770-1827

Beethoven began writing for violin and strings from an early age: by 1800, when he was only thirty, he had written a string quintet, several string trios, and twelve violin sonatas.

In 1802 Beethoven was told that the deafness he had experience for some time was incurable. For a musician and composer no news could be worse. Yet shortly afterward he wrote two of his most beautiful works--the Romances for violin and orchestra. In both these pieces the violin melodies are developed in a song-like fashion.

Violin Sonata No. 8 in G
(audio clip)

  1. Allegro vivace
In 1802 Beethoven wrote the three sonatas for piano and violin and dedicated them to Alexander I, Czar of Russia. The finale of No. 3 has many brilliant passages for the violin, and is written in rondo form, which means the first tune is repeated several times throughout the movement.

Performed by Pinchas Zukerman (violin), Daniel Barenboim (piano)
P1971/1988*
*Digital Remastering P as shown by EMI Records Ltd.

The Violin

How the Violin Is Made

More than seventy separate parts are needed to construct a new violin. Various different woods are used which are deliberately chosen for their sound-carrying capabilities as well as for their strength. Spruce is used for the belly because it is soft and responds well to the vibrations of the strings, whereas the back of the instrument is made from maple, a much harder wood, which helps the violin to stand up to the wear and tear of its playing life. Many parts of violin making are difficult and require careful judgment. The finest instruments are still made by hand, and great care is taken to ensure the beauty of the finished product.

Two pieces of maple wood are shaped and glued together to make the back of the instrument.
The back is glued in position and the F holes are carefully cut out of the belly using a template.
The maple wood ribs of the violin are molded into shape on a template, using heat. Small blocks are fixed in the corners and inside the top and bottom of the body to strengthen the construction.
Narrow strips of pear and white poplar wood, called purfling, are inlaid decoratively around the edge of the back and belly. The inlay helps guard against the wood panels splitting.
The pin sound post is wedged tightly between the belly and the back of the instrument, near the bridge.

The neck, with its decorative scroll, is carved from maple wood.

Varnish not only contributes to the beauty of the violin but also protects the wood. Each new instrument is given several coats of varnish.

Except for the use of modern equipment, violin workshops have changed very little since Stradivari's day.

Making a violin is a highly skilled art that involves much delicate and detailed work.

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