The Physiology of Violin Playing by Nemessuri, Mihaly & Szende, Otto - 1971

Collet's, London, 1971. First Edition. Black Cloth. Near Fine/Near Fine. white titles spine; foreword by Yehudi Menuhin; illustrated throughout by b/w. photo's & drawings with muscles in drawings shown in red; "The art of violin playing has reached great heights over the last two or three centuries. The violin is one of the most difficult instruments to master and, except for the unexplained miracle of the prodigy, demands years of concentrated study. The fundamental question posed in this book is how much of the hard work and drudgery might have been avoided, had we known more exactly the demands made on the body by the particular requirements of violin technique. In this book, the product of art and science, the empirical methods of the past are examined against a scientific approach, assisted by modern precision techniques. The authors listen to a number of performers, study their physical reactions and draw enlightening conclusions. Much attention is given to breathing, of which players themselves are hardly aware, to intonation and finger sensitivity, to an attitude to practising at various ages of study, involving an assessment of all the muscular and organic movements concerned. It is not a book of technical instruction, but, far more original, it aims to explain the activities of the body which support or impede technical progress. The numerous illustrations clarify the subject matter and both players and teachers of the violin will profit from the actions provoked by the authors' investigations and thought."; as new copy in a protected D/J.; including bibliography - 202 pages. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Music; Medical/Health; Music. ISBN: 0569061962. ISBN/EAN: 9780569061964. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: MUS00017. . 9780569061964