VIOLIN

This is the smallest string instrument, which originates from baroque violins. However, instruments resembling violins, from which this instrument could have evolved, can be found in many places on Earth, such as erhu (China) or rebec (Arabic origin). Similarly, in our country, similar to violins, there were observed instruments that could probably be the ancestors of modern violins. However, violins as such were created in the 16th century, but they differ from their 19th-century successors.
Although in the 17th century this instrument was widespread throughout Italy, it did not have significant prestige and was overshadowed by lutes, guitars, mandolins, viols, and vihuelas. One of the first composers who discovered the advantages of this instrument was probably Claudio Monteverdi, who used this instrument in his opera 'Orpheus'. Since then, violins have become an important instrument and have spread worldwide, gaining the title of traditional instruments in non-European countries. This spread caused violins to penetrate into the folklore of indigenous peoples in many parts of the world, such as in Brazil where they are known as rabeca, and in Argentina they became an essential element of tango. In Poland, they are also used in many regions, because who could imagine highland music without violins?
The construction of violins resembles the construction of violas. They consist of a resonant body, a neck, a scroll-shaped neck, and four pegs. Their strings are tuned in fifths (g, d1, a1, e1). They are held on the left arm like a viola. They are one of the most important instruments in the orchestra, as they play the main melody.

BAROQUE

Antonio Vivaldi Violin Concerto in G Major - Tafelmusik

CLASSICISM

Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata in A Major - Nathan Milstein and Georges Pludermacher

ROMANTICISM

Piotr Czajkowski 'Melancholy Serenade' - Itzhak Perlman

20TH CENTURY

Béla Bartók String Quartet No. 1 - Parker Quartet

TANGO

Carlos Gardel 'Por una cabeza' - Itzak Perlman

FOLKLORE

Highland Music

Irish Folk Music