"Among makers of violins Stradivari perhaps occupies the premier position, and this account of his work, designs, and variations in finish of details will afford pleasure to many readers."—Morning Post.

"This is a monograph which all students of the violin will be happy to possess. The author is a connoisseur and expert, and his account of the great Cremonese master and his life-work, is singularly well and clearly told, whilst the technical descriptions and diagrams cannot fail to interest everyone who has fallen under the spell of the violin.... Mr. Petherick traces the career of Stradivari from his earliest insight into the mysteries of the craft to his highest achievements. Numerous illustrations lend attraction to the volume, not the least being a view of Stradivari's atelier, from a painting by Rinaldi, the sketch of which was made on the premises."—Music.

"Mr. Petherick is well known in the musical world as a violin expert with a special knowledge of the instruments made by the Cremonese master, whose biography he has here given us. He tells us how the master worked, what his pupils did, and where their work differs from that of their preceptor. In fact, the volume is as much a dissertation on the violins of Stradivari as a biography of the master, and is full of deeply interesting matter."—Lloyds.



"THE STRAD" LIBRARY, No. IX.

Crown 8vo., Cloth, 5/-, Post Free, 5/4.

VIOLIN MAKING BY WALTER H. MAYSON, With Thirty-one Full-page PHOTO ETCHINGS, Illustrating the process of Violin-making in every stage—from the rough slab of wood to the finished Instrument.

The text is written by an Actual Violin Maker, in a very clear and lucid style.

"'Popular lecture' style, with photographic illustrations."—The Times.

"A feature of the book is the clearness of the illustrations."—Morning Post.

"Describes a very fascinating art from start to finish."—Morning Leader.

"This new booklet, on how to make a violin, is an admirable exposition of methods. Mr. Mayson avoids learned terminology. He uses the simplest English, and goes straight to the point. He begins by showing the young learner how to choose the best wood for the violin that is to be. Throughout a whole chatty, perfectly simple chapter, he discourses on the back. A separate chapter is devoted to the modelling of the back, and a third to its 'working out.' The art of sound-holes, ribs, neck, fingerboard, the scroll, the belly. Among the illustrations is one showing the tools which the author himself uses in the making of his instruments. To learners of the well-known Manchester maker's delicate art we commend this little volume."—Daily News.



"THE STRAD" LIBRARY, No. X.

Crown 8vo., Cloth, 2/6, Post Free, 2/9.

(DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO DR. JOSEPH JOACHIM) THE VIOLIN MUSIC OF BEETHOVEN, Critically discussed, and Illustrated with over FIFTY MUSICAL EXAMPLES, BY J. MATTHEWS.

The book contains analytical and historical notes upon the Chamber Music of Beethoven, in which the violin takes part as a solo instrument, with some account of the various editions of the principal works; Beethoven's method of working, as shown by his Sketch Books, etc. It is dedicated to Dr. JOACHIM, who has furnished some notes respecting the stringed instruments possessed by Beethoven.

Extract from Author's Preface:—

"Young students often suppose that they ought to admire every work which proceeds from a great genius; an attempt therefore has been made to convey some idea of the relative art-value and importance of the various compositions discussed in these pages. For between the best work of any man and his least inspired, there is a wide difference. Certainly nothing annoyed the great master more than to hear his least mature works praised, especially at a time when many of his greatest creations were too little studied to be understood save by a few."

"Mr. John Matthews—dealing with Beethoven's music in pleasant fashion, and at not too great length—gives an historical account, and in many instances short analyses, with illustrations in music type, of Beethoven's works for this instrument, and particularly the sonatas (to which considerable space is devoted), the trios, the quartets, and other compositions in which the master employed the violin. The book will be found by amateurs both interesting and instructive."—Daily News.



"THE STRAD" LIBRARY, No. XI.

Crown 8vo., cloth, 157 pages, 2s. 6d., Post Free, 2s. 9d.

Advice to Pupils & Teachers of the Violin, BY BASIL ALTHAUS. CONTAINS OVER 200 MUSIC ILLUSTRATIONS

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED BY AUGUST WILHELMJ AND GUIDO PAPINI

London, March 18th, 1903.

DEAR MR. ALTHAUS,

I read your book "Advice to Pupils and Teachers of the Violin" with great interest, and find it very useful. Hoping your book will meet with the success it deserves.

I am, yours sincerely, AUGUST WILHELMJ.

London, Feb. 19th, 1903.

DEAR MR. ALTHAUS,

I have read with interest your admirable book, "Advice to Pupils and Teachers of the Violin." I have no hesitation in recommending it as an indispensable work to all aspiring violinists and teachers. Your remarks on the acquirement of the various bowings, with the many musical examples, are excellent. I know of no work on this important subject so explicit and exhaustive. Wishing your book the great success it deserves.

Believe me, yours sincerely, GUIDO PAPINI.

"I have read the 157 pages that go to form the book in question, and can say, without any misgiving, that Mr. Althaus has successfully achieved what he set out to do."—Musical Standard.

"The practical and lucid explanations given are assisted by numerous illustrations."—Reynold's Newspaper.

THE END