Rating: 
Summary: These were the heros I grew up with
Review: ...as a young student of violin, and I revere them to this day. What a wonderful compendium of a past golden era of violin playing! Featured are generous footages of the playing of Heifetz, Oistrakh, Milstein, Menuhin, Stern, Szigeti, Elman, Francescatti, and several others. There is even an ancient recording of Kreisler, paired with silent film clip of him, not playing, but socializing with others on shipboard. The film is engagingly hosted by Itzak Perlman, with commentary also from Hilary Hahn and Ida Haendel, and another person who is not adequately identified. The sound quality is exceptionally good in most instances, given the limitation of technology at the times these were recorded. Most moving to me were the clips of Yehudi Menuhin, whose great heart is plainly evident in his playing of Bach's "Erbarme Dich" from St. Matthew's Passion and the Chaconne from the D-minor unaccompanied Sonata. But they are all dazzling and fascinating in their unique ways.
Rating:
Summary: Exploring the minds of some of the Greatest Violinists
Review: As a violinist, I can learn so much from this film, The Art of the Violin. One can learn about the different styles, techniques, and emotions that each indivisual artist had. This film had much impact on my life as a musician, and as a person. I now can realize the big picture of life as an artist. Even if you are not a musician, you will be facinated and inspired to see such footage on such talented people.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good, not perfect
Review: As a violinist, I have watched this video many times, probably over 10. Every time, I have learned something new from it. My only complaint would be that there are not enough clips for some of the performers like Heifetz, and too many videos of Menuhin. The sound quality of these recordings are all very good.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Entertaining
Review: As also seen on PBS, this is a film written and directed by French violinist and film maker Bruno Monsaingeon who also filmed the Goldberg Variations performed by Glenn Gould. Compared to pianists and singers, the number of violinists who have made a unique impact are very limited. This film covered footages of about 20 of the greatest violinists of the 20th Century including Heifetz, Oistrakh, Milstein, and Menuhin. Other great players such as Elman, Francescatti, Kreisler, stern, Szigeti and Ysaye are also included. Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis, Ida Haendel and Hilary Hahn are among the commentators. Very exciting and entertaining for any classical music fans Most part of the film are black and white. Sound is pretty good. English, French, Spanish and Japanese subtitles are available. For some reason, may be his national pride, Monsaingeon's film always make a few people in the film speak French even they are fully capable of English so you have to turn on English subtitle.
Rating: 
Summary: the art of violin
Review: As I know, this is the first published material contaning ex-virtuosi of violin playing. Historic visions of the greatest violinists of the past-time are sufficient to excite who loves classical music. Too many appearance of Sir Y Menuhin's playing is a flaw of a precious stone.
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Documentary
Review: I am a violinist, and after I watched this film, my understanding of the history of twentieth century performance expanded immensely. I have had it for months, and I still watch it all the time.
A comprehensive history of the violinists and the significance of music performance in the twentieth century, this film is very impressive. In one brilliantly edited sequence, we observe the 1st movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, being performed continuously by a dozen different violinists. After the two opening performances, The Art of Violin follows a loose timeline following the succession of the virtuosi, with a discourse on Paganini and some insight into the violins of Guarneri del Gesu and Stradivari. There also is a focus on the last of the great violinist/composers, Ysaye, Kreisler, and Enescu.
This film has a wealth of old, rare footage of some of the greatest violinists in recorded history, and it will leave a lasting impression on viewers whether they are string players or not. I particularly like the chapters they devoted to Milstein (my favorite), Heifetz, Oistrakh, and Menuhin. Just a few of the highlights include precious footage of Heifetz playing Chopin and Tchaikovsky, and Menuhin playing Bach's "Chaconne" in a German castle. There is significant commentary, particularly from Ivry Gitlis, Itzhak Perlman, and the late Yehudi Menuhin.
I do agree with the lament that the director perhaps did not emphasize enough the significance of Heifetz and Paganini, but a whole documentary film for each of them, respectively, would be more appropriate. This DVD is an absolute resource , and it continues to amaze me every time I watch it, and it is practically a necessity for any string player.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfull footage and two good commentators.
Review: I can not express how warmly I feel about the footage of the violinists. This idea of contrasting violinists is amazing. I give it five stars simply because of the footage. The commentators however are a different story. Mr Ivri Getlis is WONDERFULL. Ms. H Hawn and Mr I Perlman are full of sensless stereotypes, the kinds that you would hear from music critics or "social" concertgoers. As long as one forwards the VCR through their comments, this movie is bound to take us to heaven.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and beautiful
Review: I have nothing to say about this documentary that hasn't already been said. It was perfectly flawlessly made, I found the first half (it's 2 separate 1 hours movies, hence the 2 subtitles) more interesting and absorbing than the 2nd, but both were fascinating and well done. Perlman certainly has it in for piano players. I wonder what Samuel Sanders feels about that. There was much talk about the styles and techniques of the violinists. I recommend it for anyone interested in the violin, I wholehearted recommend it for them, but not for anyone else except the Renaissance man who has a catholic thirst for knowledge and those who just love music and find all aspects of it enjoyable. My next violin lesson is Thurs, my teacher has a DVD, I'm going to show her my copy and see whether she'd like to order one for herself.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of the Violin: The Devil's Instrument
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Once I had finished, I immediately rewound it and watched it again. It was so enlightening to watch and listen to the same music as it was interpreted by different artists. Also, it was fascinating to listen to the analysis and insights provided by Itzhak Perlman, Ida Haendel, Ivry Gitlis, Hilary Hahn, and Laurent Korcia. To be able to watch, listen, and compare these great players was an incredible experience. This video will be the present I give to all my friends at Christmastime.
Rating:
Summary: I Love this DVD, A Must But for Violin Enthusiasts
Review: I watched this DVD over a thousand times probably. This is a extraordinary video. It talks about giant violinists of the 20th centuray, which includes Mischa Elman, Jascha Heifetz, Yehudi Menuhin, Nathan Milstein, Ivry Gitlis, David Oistrakh,and many other marvelous violinists. The videos even shows the rare recordings of Eugene Ysaye. In addition, the video also expresses many beautiful violin masterpieces played by worldclass violinists. I play the violin myself and before watching this DVD, I did not know many great violinist nor violin literature. Now, I learned the ways and styles of many violinists and violin compositions.
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