Grieg and Violins

Violin was Edvard Grieg’s favourite orchestral instrument. This affinity expanded to other string family instruments and a string orchestra. The article aims to characterise Grieg’s two-movement cycles of miniatures for string orchestra, emphasizing the features of their orchestration. The analysis revealed that these cycles should be considered as original and creative orchestral compositions where the composer efficiently employs the possibilities of string instruments.

New Insights on the Stradivari “Coristo” Mandolin: A Combined Non-Invasive Spectroscopic Approach

In this work, one of the two existing mandolins made by Antonio Stradivari has been investigated for the first time, as a rare exemplar of the lesser-known class of plucked string instruments. The mandolin was studied by non-invasive reflection Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) on different areas previously selected by UV-induced fluorescence imaging. The analytical campaign was aimed at (i) identifying the materials used by Stradivari in the finishing of the mandolin, (ii) comparing these materials with those traditionally used in violin making, and (iii) increasing the knowledge of materials and techniques applied by Stradivari in the rare production of plucked string instruments. The combined spectroscopic approach allowed us to hypothesize original materials and finishing procedures similar to those used in violin making: a possible sizing treatment of the wood with protein-based materials and silicates, externally coated with an oil–resin varnish. XRF results were essential to support FT-IR findings and to detect possible iron-based pigments in the finishing layers. Moreover, it permitted us to distinguish original areas from the restored areas, including the purflings on the top plate and the varnished area on the treble side of the mandolin for which the originality was assumed.

An African violin – The feasibility of using indigenous wood from southern Africa as tonewood

The wood used to make musical instruments needs to have particular properties. Depending on its function, such as a soundboard for string instruments or the body of a wind instrument, different properties are desirable to obtain the best musical quality. Several different classification schemes exist that correlate physical and mechanical properties of wood to define desirable ranges for tonewoods, and to allow suitable wood species to be chosen. The physical and mechanical properties of various wood species indigenous to southern Africa were characterised and then assessed in terms of their suitability for violin construction using these classification schemes. The results of this analysis show that the most suitable of the wood species assessed are yellowwood and sapele. These were subsequently used by a professional luthier to build an ‘African’ violin. The sound quality of this instrument was determined subjectively through performances to an audience and more objectively via spectral analysis of audio recordings. This analysis shows clear differences in the relative magnitude of the harmonics between the violin made from indigenous wood and an instrument made with conventional wood species. Despite the differences, yellowwood and sapele were found to be suitable tonewoods, resulting in an instrument with a unique sound.

COLOURSTRINGS METHOD IN VIOLIN EDUCATION

The Colourstrings Method emerged as a teaching material to develop visual and auditory ways of introducing music and violin to the child, based on the principles of Kodaly’s system. It is an instrumental method created in Finland by the Hungarian-born violin pedagogue, Professor Geza Szilvay (b. 1943). The method is a child-centered violin approach that aims to educate the child as a whole with their cognitive, affective and psychomotor behaviors and to develop their critical thinking skills and creativity. This study was aimed at describing the Colourstring Method, which has aroused international attention, has become widespread in the world and has been adapted to other string instruments. To this end, the basic principles of Geza Szilvay and the Colourstring method were examined. The study was carried out with qualitative research method, and literature review was done by using multiple data collection means, such as observations, interviews, audio-visual materials, documents and reports. The existing literature on violin education methods provides no studies on the Colourstrings Method. Therefore, the present study is deemed important for enriching the literature and guiding future researchers regarding this particular issue. It is expected that increased knowledge of music educators and prospective music teachers about this method and researchers’ new insight into the method will contribute to the field and future studies will be beneficial. Keywords: Colourstring method, geza szilvay, violin education

Formation of professionally significant qualities of future specialists of music specialties

The article presents a general analysis of professionally significant qualities of future specialists of music specialties, specializations "piano", "orchestra string instruments (violin)". Materials and methods. The paper includes the analysis of professional scientific and methodological literature and sociological research methods, the method of expert evaluation and methods of mathematical statistics. Results of work. It is determined that the most significant professional physical quality for students majoring in "piano" is strength endurance (R = 1.42), less significant - hand motility (R = 2.17), coordination of movements of the shoulders and forearms (R = 2.67) and muscle strength of the shoulder girdle, arms (R = 4.00). For students majoring in "orchestra string instruments" (violin), physical qualities such as "strength of the muscles of the neck, shoulder girdle" are especially important. So, holding a musical instrument and playing it allows them to properly transfer a long load on the upper extremities and shoulder girdle. Conclusions. As a result of the research, the role and the place of professionally significant qualities of future specialists in music specialties, specializations "piano", "orchestra string instruments (violin)" necessary for further professional activity and the level of professionalism were analysed.