What's to say about today?
I finished reading 'Lev's Violin by Helena Attlee. I'm not sure how to describe the book. If you are interested in the history of Italian violin making and particularly in the 17th century, how they were made, where the wood comes from, how it was transported down from the alps to Venice and thence to Cremona, how the violins and the music became the fashion all over Europe...
And the consequences of war and looting right up to World War 2 and in Communist Russia...
And all beautifully written and described as a kind of quest by Helena Attlee
Then you would be as fascinated as I was. If not, you will be bored to tears.
If anyone would like to have this copy, let me know in the comments with your address and I'll post it to you. (Obviously I won't publish he comment with your address!). It was a second hand copy, so what they call 'well-read'. It was a Radio 4 book of the week some time ago.
Music
Well, it will have to be something with violins!
Henry Purcell, Rondo from Abdelazar, on original baroque instruments
Sounds like a really interesting read! I'm packing up a few paperbacks to take with me camping so hopefully they can leave the bookshelves! Most of them are easy reading, just what I want when (hopefully) sitting out in the sunshine
ReplyDeleteI do like easy reading on holiday. More relaxing, and I can leave them behind when we return.
DeleteI’ve just bought a copy, looking forward to a good read
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed it. Similar books are The Booksellers Tale, tracing the history of books, and The Notebook, likewise for notebooks, journals, diaries etc. All another angle on history.
DeleteThis sounds so interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many niche explorations . Every human activity or interest has a sub-culture attached to it and they are often fascinating.
I love the way they link up to what I learned elsewhere through other kinds of reading
DeleteThe baroque instruments do have a different sound interesting to compare to a modern orchestra. The book sounds informative but I don't think I have the staying power to read it. My reading mojo seems to have left the building and I can't seem to finish anything that isn't light and frothy! Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI tend to read this kind of book in small chunks over quite a long time. Raising Hare was like this... there's only so much detail I can take in at a time.
DeleteI must have heard that piece of music a gazillion times without knowing the title or the composer. Now I do. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Britten used that tune for The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, a piece played in almost every school in a music lesson sooner or later. This could be why you know it so well.
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