VIOLIN

a musical instrument with four strings, played by a bow, too familiar to require description. Though a comparatively modern instrument, it may be regarded as the perfected evolution of many older forms of its cla , such as the medicval ‘vielle’ or ‘fiddle,’ the troubadour rebec, and the viol. Gasparo Bertolotti, better known as Gaspar di Salo, d. 1610, appears to have been the first maker of violins. During the period of development, the making of violins was restricted chiefly to the Tyrol and Upper Italy; and it was in the hands of the 17th and 18th cent. Cremona makers—notably the Amatis, ee Guarnerius, and Strad i var i us—that the instrument attained that perfection has never since been surpa ed. which The perfected violin. model. presents many points of technical interest—_ points of form and adjustment of wood and varnish—which, as they cannot be priefly described, are best studied in expert works devoted to the subject. The first three strings, counting from the highest, are of gut: the fourth is covered with silvered copper wire, or silver or gold wire. The bow, made of horsehair, may be temporarily disused, and the strings plucked by the fingers. This is called pizzicato playing. For modifying the tone in a peculiar way, a mute is placed on the bridge supportirg the strings. From the open note of the fourth to the highest po ible note of the first strings there is an available compa of about three octaves and a half. E entially the violin is an instrument of melody, but by using one or more of the open strings, and by what is technically termed double stopping, a limited harmony can be produced. It has long been the foundation instrument of the orchestra, where the division is into first and second violins; and as nearly all the masters have written for it, its literature is exceptionally rich. The virtuosi of the violin are noticed under their respective names. 79), Kr. architect; restored many ancient buildings in France, and wrote several works, including a monumental Dictionary of French Architecture.