The Black Bird Violin

[Deleted]

Wikipedia link

The Blackbird, also called the Black Stone Violin, is a full-size playable violin made of black diabase after drawings by Antonio Stradivari (Stradivarius), but with technical modifications to allow it to be played. The violin was conceived and designed by the Swedish artist Lars Widenfalk. It was named the Blackbird after the common blackbird (Turdus merula) because of its coloring.

[MsAli]

WOW-does it say who plays it?

[Deleted]

Jan 5, 2018 14:07:02 GMT -5 MsAli said:

WOW-does it say who plays it?

It's traveled the globe. It is apparently quite a nice instrument.

The Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström composed music specifically for the instrument.[5]

The music's first public performance on the Blackbird took place in the Swedish Pavilion at the 1992 Seville Expo in Spain. In the same year the violin was blessed by Pope John Paul II in Rome.[6]

Since then, it has been played in many places including Dubai,[7]

Luxembourg, Monza, Milan, Nuremberg, Oslo,[8] Prague, Stockholm and Washington.

A video from Face II Face,[9]

the Lars Holm and Lars Widenfalk art exhibition in Linneanum, Botanical Garden, Uppsala 2009 includes a 30-second segment of a performance on the violin.

[MsAli]

Looking at it right now-It was made his grandfathers tombstone-kind of creepy
Cant find any videos of it being played. Would love to hear the sound

[Mark K]

Jan 5, 2018 14:20:28 GMT -5 MsAli said:

Looking at it right now-It was made his grandfathers tombstone-kind of creepy
Cant find any videos of it being played. Would love to hear the sound

[MsAli]

Jan 5, 2018 15:09:26 GMT -5 Mark K said:

Jan 5, 2018 14:20:28 GMT -5 MsAli said:

Looking at it right now-It was made his grandfathers tombstone-kind of creepy
Cant find any videos of it being played. Would love to hear the sound

Thank you

Beautiful sound

[MsAli]

I love the video of Akim, his face when the crowd cheers is so precious

[fernwood]

Quite amazing. I play dulcimer best, Appalachian style, either on lap or with a strap. Either use my fingers, a flat pick, or vintage horse hair bow. Have played guitar some, mostly rhythm. Mandolin and violin as well. The concept of a stone instrument intrigues me. The tone is very unique. Not rich and warm, like wooden instruments, but more crisp and sharp (not sharp as opposed to flat, but sharp as in no undertones, as with wood instruments).
The sound of this instrument has a place in many compositions. I would love to hear it played fiddle style. Thinking the tone would fit many of the fast paced, traditional bluegrass compositions out there. Potential for amplification as well, with an external pick-up.
The musician in me is wondering if a traditional, or customized bow was used. Often, with violin, the bow contributes to the sound of the instrument.

Sorry for rambling, but this musician had to comment on a lapidary web site about musical things, lol.

[MsAli]

Jan 5, 2018 18:50:49 GMT -5 fernwood said:

Quite amazing. I play dulcimer best, Appalachian style, either on lap or with a strap. Either use my fingers, a flat pick, or vintage horse hair bow. Have played guitar some, mostly rhythm. Mandolin and violin as well. The concept of a stone instrument intrigues me. The tone is very unique. Not rich and warm, like wooden instruments, but more crisp and sharp (not sharp as opposed to flat, but sharp as in no undertones, as with wood instruments).
The sound of this instrument has a place in many compositions. I would love to hear it played fiddle style. Thinking the tone would fit many of the fast paced, traditional bluegrass compositions out there. Potential for amplification as well, with an external pick-up.
The musician in me is wondering if a traditional, or customized bow was used. Often, with violin, the bow contributes to the sound of the instrument.

Sorry for rambling, but this musician had to comment on a lapidary web site about musical things, lol.

I cant play worth crap, but I appreciate all music.

I was wondering how it would sound like if Lindsey Sterling played it or yeah bluegrass style would be interesting to hear, like Aubrey Haynie.

 I did hear the sharpness in it, but then the piece she was playing might of been the reason for it.

[fernwood]

I want to hear more of various styles, as I love the overall sound.

[rockjunquie]

I'm not sure I care how it sounds..... it's beautiful just to look at.

[Deleted]

Jan 5, 2018 20:58:07 GMT -5 rockjunquie said:

I'm not sure I care how it sounds..... it's beautiful just to look at.

One of the world's most complicated and large cabochons.

[fernwood]

Some wire wrapping involved as well.