Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #319010 in Books
• Published on: 1980-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Customer Reviews

Over my head
Whereas I'm sure there is no doubting Mr. Auer's ability in playing the violin, as a beginner, I found alot of what he had to say here, irrelevant for my needs. Perhaps I thought that by the word 'teach' in the title, that it would assist, but in fact, it didn't at all. If anything, it made me wonder why I was attempting to start this instrument so late in life!

A Wonderful Insight into early 20th Century Technique
The most significant thing about this book is that it is an excellent insight into the world of the early 20th century and late nineteenth century violin: a world before continual vibrato became nearly ubiquitous and the creeping menace of shoulder rest took over the world. (Auer's tongue-in-cheek assasination of vibrato-mongers is a classic and worth the price of the book in itself). The book also serves to remind us that there were once multiple 'schools' of violin playing rather than the dichotomized violinland we now live in (with the 'establishment' vs. the 'HIPpies' [Historically Informed Performance]). There is, indeed, more than one way to skin a cat. Have a read.

A Violinist's Treasure
Not only the technical and interpretation explanations are extremely valuable, but they also come directly from the tradition of Dont and Joachim who Auer studied with. It is an honor to be taught by such an exceptional violinist and to read about how Sarasate, Vieuxtemps, Wieniawski and other 19th-century masters played.