Beethoven - The Violin Sonatas (DVD)

Advantages: Excellent performances in a perfect setting
Disadvantages: Very minor quibbles

...'s employment really did happen! By 1778, Mozart's composition style had developed to the point where his violin sonatas are much more of an equal partnership between violin and keyboard. During this year while he was in Mannheim and Paris, he composed a set of 6 sonatas which are featured on this DVD. They were dedicated to the German aristrocrat Maria Elisabeth, Electress of the Palatinate, but most importantly for Mozart, they were also published in Paris - his first major music publication. This was a vital step for Mozart. Not only was it a good source of income to have the works published, but it also served to spread his music around a much wider audience than would otherwise have been possible. So these works, while perhaps not the most widely known amongst the general public, are a vital stepping stone in Mozart's development... Read review

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Advantages: Well worth learning
Disadvantages: can be a bit of a minefield.

...Whether it is for yourself or your offspring, buying your first violin can be a daunting prospect - how do you know what you will need? Hopefully, this will help. Before you go shopping, ask around - your teacher if you have one or anyone you know who plays the violin, if you can get a recomendation of a good shop, this will make your job easier. Better still, try to elicite the help of someone who alerady plays - the advice of someone who knows their stuff can be very reassuring, as well as useful. The violin - you can really spend as much or as little as you like - you can pick up second hand Chinese violins for very little (£40?) you can spend thousands. Obviously, if you are starting out, you won't want a hugely expensive instrument. Spend what you can afford. Make sure the body of the violin is in good shape - avoid anything... Read review

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Advantages: Potentially beautiful sound
Disadvantages: The squealy noises to start off with

...and dvd so is ideal for home use. It starts very basic, describing which string is which, how to hold the violin and bow, and progresses from some basic tunes to start with through lots of well known tunes, so by the end of book one, you should have quite a good, basic repertoire. For young children, the 'Fiddle Time Joggers' (£4.50) series is very colourful and easy to use, and the 'Eta Cohen Violin Method' (£5.50 each book) is a useful and widely used collection. All these books, and many other violin books can be found at, www.keykavern.com under music books - viollin tutors. Finding an Orchestra/Group ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My advice to any musician is to play in a group at some time, as it can be a great fun and social experience, as well as teaching a different way of learning and keeping time with a group. Every region has... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful