Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I will not tell what is on this DVD. I will tell you that I have had it for a year and that I watch it at least once a week. I have sent copies to my grandson and my granddaughter who are both violinists. This DVD has all of the heros of my youth and has helped put them in perspective. It made me realize that I LOVE the violin. Since first seeing this DVD I have become the First Violin of the Rio Bravo String Quartet and the concert master of the New Horizons Orchestra. The only thing that I missed was the playing of the Mozart concerto for violin No. 3 in G major by the violinist Jaques Tibeau. If anyone knows where I can get that old recording, contact me at quartet@peoplepc.com.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tribute
Review: If i had [money] left to my name, i would buy this video and worry about food later... ( not recommended practice for everyone ) The film begins on the sad note of Sir Menuhin's passing and infers that an era of virtuosity has ended. The film immediately goes into full gear and switches between vintage footage of great violinists playing the Mendelssohn concerto.... breath taking. And it doesn't stop there. Those wishing to see A LOT of great "old" fiddling captured on film ( and then some more ) will not be disappointed. The business of violin playing is introduced in plain words, many virtuosi are given a personal introduction. This is not a "how to play the violin" instruction video for the beginner, but if you already play or you are learning to play, it's like attending several master classes in a row... unbelievable. I think If you are a music lover, this documentary will help you attach a face to all the recordings you already own. ( including the faces of a few composers/conductors ) If you are a musician, you will get a hint at what makes virtuosity. If you are a violinist, you will be introduced to what makes greatness... also, watch out for Kogan's left-handed del Gesu of 1733 vintage...
Rating:
Summary: A Childhood Dream Came True
Review: Like many in my generation in China, I was drawn to the dramatic sounds of the violin. We had so few opportunities to hear the playings of the masters. I have childhood memories of seeking old recordings high and low without much success. The limitation of resources in China then prevented me from hearing the sounds the greatest violin tamers other than their reputations. It has been a childhood dream to one day hear them all on a quality recording. And this DVD fulfills that dream. I recommend this DVD to all of those ever who have made an attempt to study violin.
Rating:
Summary: A truly inspiring documentary
Review: Like many others, I first saw this documentary on PBS. As I didn't see the whole thing, I decided to buy it so that I can watch it over and over again. I can't count how many times I have watched it since. Even my two-year-old son asks for it sometimes. Since watching this documentary for the first time, I have been practising regularly (almost every day), something I hadn't been doing for over 10 years!
With regards to the content of the film, I get the feeling that it revolves heavily around the clips that were available. Now that I have watched it a few times, I find it to be like a potpourri of footages loosely held together by commentaries, some of which were not at all illuminating at times. For instance, Hahn seemed to have some difficulty articulating what she was trying to say. However, I am not saying that the DVD is not great. In fact, the clips alone are already worth more than every penny I spent on the DVD.
In my not-so-humble opinion, any violin player who doesn't get fired up after watching this DVD should probably quit playing the violin.
Rating: 
Summary: it should really be 4 and 1/2 stars
Review: monsaigeon's most recent film definitely brings an interesting combination of features. as far as the filming techniques and the work of un-puzzling it all together, his job is just wonderful--nice transitions, nice buildup. at times the viewer just remains wishing for the music to continue. hard to understand how the 4 musical-referees were chosen. especially controversial i found Hilary Hahn's presence. the value brought by her could be at most didactical--how the younger generations look back into history. as a suggestion, the movie might have benefited from opinions of the great violin-players--even if those where taken from written materials.
Rating:
Summary: A Documentary Essential to Every Violinist's Collection
Review: My first exposure to this documentary was it's airing as part of PBS' "Great Performances" series - right then, I knew I had to somehow get hold of it. Surely, it ought to be required watching for any and every violinist, or any person even mildly interested in the violin.
Monsaingeon presents a chonology of sorts going through the great masters of the instrument from Paganini, with video and audio clips for each, as well as a brief biography. Reflections on the violinists, their personalities, technique, performances, and interactions are given along the way by Ivry Gitlis, Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Ida Haendel (the older generation), Itzhak Perlman (the intermediate generation), plus Hilary Hahn and Laurent Korcia (the new generation). Many of the video clips are amazing finds, a testament to Monsaingeon's research and thoroughness with each of his subjects.
From a violinist's standpoint, the video segments are priceless; wonderful demonstrations of technique and various playing styles that, fortunately, are allowed to run their length (without cutaways).
From a movie-watcher's standpoint, the documentary is never dull, and provides some very fascinating insights into the lives of the great masters, as well as some of the masters of today.
In short, this DVD is of enormous benefit and worth, and is something you will find yourself watching over and over again. Perhaps it's only flaw is that it cuts short of any of the modern virtuosos (it would have been nice to view some of Itzhak Perlman and Hilary Hahn's performances), but that is forgivable.
This DVD will surely boost your appreciation not only the great masters of the past, but also this most fascinating instrument.
Rating:
Summary: Unique CD filled with rare footage of violin greats
Review: My main objection is the title to this DVD "Devil's Instrument", because the producers just wanted to use this to get attention. There was exactly one reference to the Devil, in mentioning Paganini's Satanic demeanor. The rest of the musicians played like angels, and the closing number with Menuhin and the Chaconne in D Minor was positively heavenly. Ivry Gitlits said of him "the angel who came down on earth". In general this DVD is worth the money. Nowhere else will you get several hours devoted to the violin greats of the 20th century. In this day of digital videos and recordings, we take for granted that everything from a child's first recital to a debut in Carnegie Hall will be captured in living color, with CD's cut for parents to listen to. But when you look back there are so few films of the greats such as Heifetz, Kreisler, none of Ysaye, and the sound, even when remastered or enhanced, cannot escape the submarine-like feel of the recording capabilities of the early 20th century. However when you see the virtuosity being demonstrated it is still incredible. Itzhak Perlman and Hilary Hahn do a magnificant job of narrating. And since the film was shot shortly before Menuhin's death in 1999, and finished afterwards, it is fitting that the 20th century closed with Menuhin, and this film was kind of a tribute to Menuhin. However in no way was it all about Menuhin, many are covered, even Michael Rabin and Ginette Neveu whose careers were shortened due to tragedy. With all the narrating by Perlman, I was only a little disappointed that they did not feature his playing. But I guess this leaves another DVD for the violin geniuses of today for later.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent historical perspective
Review: Purchased this DVD at the suggestion of my son's violin instructor. This DVD contains numerous interviews of several reknowned violinists (including Itzhak Perlman who gives a wonderfully entertaining, insightful and heart-felt commentary) on the "violin masters" of the 20th century. I especially enjoyed a performance brought together by the filmmaker which was comprised of a seamless sequence of audio and video montages, sections of which were performed by differing masters allowing the viewer to directly compare and contrast the unique sounds and playing style of each master. Bravo! I purchased this DVD to inspire my 12-year old son to in his violin practice and performance as well as to provide some wonderful musical role models. This DVD definitely fit the bill. In fact, now I am ready to take up the violin too!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Some guys like me, never had the opportuniy to know the great masters of the last century, this is a beautiful DVD, and an excelent documental. The violinist are their sounds, their phrasings, their humanity, some very perfectionist like Heifetz, some very carismatic, like Oistrak, some prodigy like Menuhin, and some interesting personalities like Kogan, Milstein, Szering, Szigeti, all of them big masters of the new style, different in style than Wieniawski, Vieuxtemps, Sarasate, Paganini, Viotti, etc. but not so far from their impresionant habilities. Believe me you really enjoy this CD's, a curiosity, pay attention to all the bowings, are very different, different production of the sound. Two violinist never will play equal, even they are using the same violin, the violinist is his sound not his violin. (Note: The violin helps, but not play alone).
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Violin is a lesson not to miss
Review: The Art of Violin is such a joy to watch and I was just entranced by these violin masters and their techniques. Though I received lessons as a child and have rekindled my interest in playing the violin for the last 3 years, I never knew about all these great players. I enjoyed listening to Itzhak Perlman describe all these great people too. This is a really great violin lesson in itself.
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