The History of Violin
...77) in Cremona, was the first violin maker of note to design and construct a violin that was to become the blueprint of current-day violin makers. His grandson, Nicolo, followed the family tradition of violin making, but he made further developments to the initial blueprint. Because the 16th century was the age of the plague that took many lives in Europe, Nicolo had no choice but to take took on several apprentices during his lifetime, the most notable of whom was Antonio Stradivari (1670 - 1705). Many people believe Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the greatest composer who ever lived. Mozart’s father, Leopold, taught music to Wolfgang and his sister, Nannerl. Wolfgang played the harpsichord by the time he was four, began to compose music at age five with the help of his father, and taught himself to play violin at age six. Wolfgang Mozart was one of the first composers to fr...