Thanks for the intimate peek at this one-of-a kind, world-class instrument. It is fascinating to imagine the maker with it in his hands so long ago, and this view really helps create that visualization. Great job!
Thank you so much, Jane, my dear friend! I'm delighted that you like it. As long as Fred continues to provide me with topics that lend themselves to it, I'll continue to shoot shots of the Strad.
Fond regards,
Endre
ironabike wrote:
Endre, another great shot of your Strad I don't think you will ever run out of wonderful shots of this instrument. Great story and take on the WA this week. I too love the lighting and the blue background.
Jane
Thanks for the kind comment, Al. I'm glad you like it. This is a very tight closeup. The whole corner area where the "bee sting" is located is probably less than a centimeter across. Given the utter perfection of the rest of the instrument, that is a very minor flaw, indeed! I suspect whoever Strad made this particular instrument for probably never even noticed it to comment on.
All best wishes,
Endre
Medowlark wrote:
A nice display of that minor defect. I sometimes find myself making similar repairs in my wookwork. If the client asks me about it I just tell him it is an "authentication patch" and it is there to prove the item is hand made. Most folks don't worry much about it after that.
I thought of you when I shot this, Jess! I figured you'd find it particularly interesting. The F holes are both cut beautifully although there is a bit of wear on the right F due to centuries of makers messing with their sound-post adjusters. :worried:
So you want me to play "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee" eh Hmmm... that could be arranged.
Thanks so much for the kind comments.
Fond regards,
Endre
Photon wrote:
Hey Endre, I've been waiting for you to enter some imperfection from your Strad, but I was expecting maybe something around an f hole!
Now I have to go take a close look at all eight bee stings on my violin.
Beautiful.
So now you'll serenade us with some Rimsky-Korsakov?
[I'll leave it to you to explain the inside joke to others who may not get it.]
Very need shot and I love the story to tells. Without your explanantion I would never have known the whole story. I like the blue in contrast.
Christian
Thanks, Peter, my friend! I'm happy you like the photo and I always am glad to find an opportunity to post another photo of my instrument. It is an endless source of fascination.
I'll keep everyone informed about the progress of the show. So far, early indicatiinos are that it will be a very well attended opening. Of course everyone is really only coming for the free wine and concert but they'll get to see my photos as a byproduct.
Fond regards,
Endre
canandaigua ph wrote:
Endre.....you've taught me much about violins and your 'strad'....thanks! All the images you've taken of it are beautiful, it's difficult to think of part of it as 'almost perfect' but you've managed to capture that as well!!
Great job....good luck on the show. (always an interesting experience!)
Peter
Thank you so much, Ed. I really appreciate the comment. I love my instrument so if I can get others to love is as much through my photos, I've done a good job!
Fond regards,
Endre
ESC in KC wrote:
Endre,
Thanks for the intimate peek at this one-of-a kind, world-class instrument. It is fascinating to imagine the maker with it in his hands so long ago, and this view really helps create that visualization. Great job!
Excellent Endre, such a minor imperfection with an otherwise perfect instrument is very difficult to find without your expertise. The photograph looks great with your excellent choice of cropping, composition and background…
Thanks so much, Christian, my friend. I'm glad you enjoyed the little history lesson as well as the photo.
Fond regards,
Endre
cennerfelt wrote:
Very need shot and I love the story to tells. Without your explanantion I would never have known the whole story. I like the blue in contrast.
Christian
I was a woodworker in a former life, and since I also owned an interest in an antiques store, I had plenty of opportunities to try my hand at repair and restoration of some fine pieces of furniture. I found that even the finest craftsmen had trouble with string inlays. Rarely do I find the intersections to be perfect, although to the untrained eye, the imperfections would generally go unnoticed. Obviously, you know intimately this wonderful instrument made by Mr. Stradivari, but I dare say that if you were to allow 100 people to look inspect it, 99 would never notice the flaw. The care with which you have set up and taken this photo highlights the imperfection almost perfectly.
Endre, At his age to even be doing inlay work was amazing! My dad was an aerospace engineer, and a bit of a perfectionist. Later in life he began to relax his standards a bit, and would mutter..."good enough". This inlay is definately good enough. Not perfect...almost perfect. Good entry!
Hey Endre, I have a question. I assume you have had the honor of examining other Stradivari instruments? If so have you ever examined one which was completely flawless? It seems any handmade piece should have some minor flaw or inconsistency regardless the skill of the craftsman.
Thank you so much, John, my friend! I'm so glad you like it! I'm slow in responding since I've spent the last two days going back and froth between LA and Santa Barbara and setting up the show. It looks really great!
Fond regards,
Endre
jban99 wrote:
Excellent Endre, such a minor imperfection with an otherwise perfect instrument is very difficult to find without your expertise. The photograph looks great with your excellent choice of cropping, composition and background…
Thanks so much, Denny! I appreciate the kind coment. It is a great blessing to be able to perform on such a magnificent instrument.
Allk best wishes,
Endre
PyroDenny wrote:
thats an awsome pic for this week ... and the fact that you have a strad is incredible... i got to hold one once and it was incredible
I don't think you will ever run out of wonderful shots of this instrument. Great story and take on the WA this week. I too love the lighting and the blue background. 
Hmmm... that could be arranged. 