Contemporary vs. Antique Violins
Bringing Together the Best of Both Worlds
Having trouble tracking down your perfect violin? You're not alone. Many have found that getting a great sounding violin that fits their playing style can be confusing and frustrating, especially for students and beginners. No matter where you look there doesn't seem to be any definitive guidelines that work for everyone when it comes to selecting a violin. This has contributed to both professional and amateur musicians relying on the misconception that the oldest and most expensive instrument that you can afford is what you need. While violin experts continue to assert that old violins are worth the small fortunes it takes to obtain them, a growing number of musicians are beginning to realize that they can equal the sound of an antique with a good new instrument crafted by an accomplished modern luthier. After all, violin makers today follow the same process as the old masters by constantly experimenting with size, proportion, and other variables to achieve the best sounding instruments possible. They also have the advantage of the centuries of experience by the numerous great masters before them to study and use for inspiration.
A trustworthy and experienced modern violin maker takes pride in his creations and can offer you solid information on the products that he offers. From his workshops in Reghin, Romania, master violin maker Vasile Gliga crafts high quality violins and other stringed instruments in an ancient Romanian family tradition, which utilizes sophisticated and time-tested finishing techniques along with modern tools. Near the "Italian Valley" of the Transylvanian forests, the Gliga Group fashions their instruments from the same Carpathian spruce and flamed maple that ancient Italian masters used for their now highly-prized antique violins. In such close proximity to these forests, Gliga's knowledge in violin construction has grown up around the characteristics of these woods. Like the accomplished luthiers of the past, Gliga transmits the soul of these unique woods into every violin, cello, viola, and double bass that he produces, making each instrument a one-of-a-kind personal expression of his passion for the craft. But unlike antique violins that command over-inflated prices, the full range of Gliga's instruments from beginner and student versions to maestro and special versions are available to anyone who desires a highly-resonant and aesthetically beautiful instrument at down to earth prices.
When they pick up an instrument, experienced musicians intuitively know how to find that sweet spot that will make a violin sing. But a good violin that has benefited from the perfect combination of high-quality wood and its violin-makers careful and precise workmanship can sound absolutely spectacular. Professional players such as Yehudi Menuhin, who are blessed enough to be able to play original Cremonese masterpieces, have acknowledged and praised the fine craftsmanship of Gliga violins. Despite all the evidence to the contrary though, some musicians continue to insist that only antique violins can achieve that magical sound which results from an instrument surviving the test of time. In reality, often what these musicians truly value is aesthetic beauty and the connection one feels to the masters of the past when playing an instrument marked by a long history.
Satisfying the desire for an antique is often a risky venture, dependent upon large sums of money and an arduous search for the perfect unaltered specimen in the hands of questionable individuals. On the contrary, it can also be very spiritually gratifying to finally come upon the violin that fatefully seems as if it were meant to be in your possession, and makes you a part of its story. For those to whom their destined instrument has not revealed itself and for others who simply cannot afford the extravagance but enjoy the aesthetic beauty of an aged instrument, Gliga offers the antiqued violin as an alternative. These antiqued violins feature an exquisite manipulation of color and finish that expertly replicates the aesthetic beauty of an antique violin without devaluating the high standards of Gliga sound quality. A Gliga antiqued violin can fulfill the need to play an instrument with a body that has survived a battle with time while beginning your own musical tradition to be passed down through the generations. In addition to beautiful high-quality violins, the Gliga Group also offers specially designed stringed instruments as well as premium accessories such as bows, cases, strings, and much more. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to satisfy your special someone's love of music with a gift that they will cherish for a lifetime. Visit www.violinslover.com to find that sweet spot in your beloved this year with a Gliga violin, viola, cello, or double bass.