books, e-books, and apps on music for scholars, artists, fans, and children
The Caldwell Collection of Viols: A Life Together in the Pursuit of Beauty
Publication Date : 27 July 2012
$54.00
Start reading now by downloading the iPad app below.
Part of a chapter on how the Caldwells grew as musicians and collectors during nearly 40 years together
Preview sample: 
Description
 $17.99 RequiresApple(R) iPad |
 Access free web app |
Print edition; text only |
This book, in print and iPad editions, presents the stringed musical instruments in the Caldwell Collection of Viols, including fine, rare, and important examples by Amati, Bertrand, Norman, Rose, Tielke, and others.
Lavishly illustrated listings provide:
- 217 photographs, including full-page portraits of each instrument by Roger Mastroianni
- over 70 minutes of music, in 40 audio tracks
- details of provenance, dimensions, and restoration history
- technical descriptions of each instrument by the contemporary viol builder John Pringle
- essays on the makers by the musicologist Thomas G. MacCracken
The book is a moving and humorous memoir as well as a catalogue, telling the story of how the collection was shaped by the forty-year musical life together of its principals, and by their conviction that “instruments, no matter how beautiful, are meant to be played and heard, not just looked at.”
CATHARINA MEINTS studied cello with Ronald Leonard at the Eastman School of Music and played in the Rochester Philharmonic and the Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia, where she met and married James Caldwell. After three years in the National Symphony, she joined the Cleveland Orchestra in 1971. She has taught at Oberlin since 1975 and the Cleveland Institute of Music since 1990.
This publication is partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign during March 2012 that raised funds for a large enough print run to enable us to publish the app, and especially the print edition, at much lower prices than would otherwise have been the case. Thanks to all who backed the project!
“The Caldwell Collection of Viols, put together with exquisite care over several decades, is one of the most extraordinary private assemblages of such instruments in the world. Its contents far overshadow the viola da gamba holdings of most of the world’s major musical instrument museums. Until recently, the only way to experience the collection was to journey to the small mid-western town of Oberlin, Ohio, but that has changed with the appearance of Catharina Meints Caldwell’s new book, The Caldwell Collection of Viols: A Life Together in Pursuit of Beauty. The volume, handsomely illustrated with numerous photographs of each instrument by Roger Mastroianni, brings together essays by musicologist Thomas MacCracken on the eighteen makers represented, as well as descriptions of each instrument by the noted contemporary viol builder John Pringle.”
“It is the charming narrative by Mrs. Caldwell, however, that makes reading the volume such a pleasure. She discusses the musical qualities of each of the twenty-two instruments (qualities she deftly illustrates in the accompanying audio, on which she plays each) from the standpoint of a virtuoso performer, and also conveys “the thrill of the chase,” recounting how she and her late husband, the oboist and gamba player James Boone Caldwell, discovered and acquired one antique viol after another. Her descriptions, written in a relaxed and quasi-conversational tone, well convey the connoisseur’s passion for her subject, and offer a rare glimpse not only into a rarefied corner of music, but also into musical instruments and antiques. The book is an important contribution to organology and to the literature on collecting, and will be appreciated by a wide audience, from reference librarians to early music enthusiasts, collectors, and those simply looking for a good musical yarn.”
– Kenneth Slowik, Curator of Musical Instruments, Smithsonian institution
11 Reviews
musicwordmedia
~ 5-11-2012 at 21:31:30
Brilliant! A must have for all collectors and musicians! Beautifully presented audio and visuals with hours of reading and enjoyment for all.
Rhawkins on the App Store
This comment refers to the iPad edition
Read more: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/custos-caldwell-viols/id515392351
Musicwordmedia
~ 5-19-2012 at 19:48:17
This is really one of the most interesting and well-made apps for the iPad I’ve seen to date. The picture quality is very high, and the texts and sound clips complement them to create a quite remarkable multi-media “book”. My only disappointment so far was, as I was listening to the recordings of the different intstruments, to find that there was no sound example of the quinton. It would have been interesting to hear both the pardessus and quinton by Guersan, just to compare one to the other. But as a fault, I have to say it really not so bad, comparing to the scope of the rest of the app. I really cannot recommend this highly enough, it’s quite outstanding, to say the least.
– Swedish App Store review
musicwordmedia
~ 5-23-2012 at 14:42:14
Superb! Wow, what an interesting concept and a fabulous way to portray this musical instrument. I especially liked being able to hear the instrument in play, whilst reading about the various designs and learning more about this valuable collection. The photographs are crisp and detailed, the sound sharp and entertaining. Overall I was highly impressed by this unique way of presenting the information electronically. Thank you, I am a big fan.–UK App Store review
Alexander Silbiger
~ 5-24-2012 at 01:53:11
For those of us who are not able to visit the collection and try out these fantastic instruments, this App is the next best thing – it almost is like being there! Beautifully done, it provides many hours of pleasure to the eye, the ear, and the mind.
musicwordmedia
~ 5-24-2012 at 21:19:39
This looks and sounds beautiful, and is just the kind of resource that is perfect for the iPad
–Chris Meade, Director at if:book – the future of the book, on LinkedIn
musicwordmedia
~ 5-24-2012 at 21:20:57
This is what apps should be. Well executed and fascinating for musicologists and laymen alike. Expert content and beautiful visuals.
–Don Linn, President at Firebrand Associates, on LinkedIn
musicwordmedia
~ 5-26-2012 at 12:33:14
An extrordinary literary and musical accomplishment. The photos are stunning, the stories of the instruments, makers, collectors, and musicians are compelling. And most astonishing is that the instruments get to ‘ tell their own story’ as they are each played and ‘speak’ to the reader in their own voice. Bravo!
–Netavats on the App Store
musicwordmedia
~ 5-31-2012 at 22:41:14
Beautiful: An excellent use of the iPad to display what a book can’t do: beautiful photos, text, AND music: each instrument’s look, history, AND music is available here. It all makes me wish I could play the viol! In full disclosure, my sonnet about the Caldwell collection is the first piece in the book, and I’m proud of that! — Poet 360 on the US App Store
musicwordmedia
~ 6-1-2012 at 13:33:02
Fabulous! Don’t miss it.
per Al Folop
musicwordmedia
~ 6-1-2012 at 14:21:47
Important and fascinating: This is an important achievement documenting one of the finest private instrument collections in the world. However, those who aren’t specialists in the world of old instruments will still find plenty to explore! The app is a fascinating combination of documentary information, engaging storytelling and gorgeous images. –dkelley74 on the US App Store
musicwordmedia
~ 8-13-2012 at 11:20:23
“… a spectacular catalog of the amazing Caldwell collection. … The large reference text is richly embellished with over 200 color photographs of the instruments, with identifying details featured. This unique collection is displayed to full advantage in this volume, with a wealth of historical background material about each instrument’s history and making. … Both a work of history and a work of art and pleasure, The Caldwell Collection of Viols is a beautiful volume with CDs that enriches both a specialty music library and a general arts library. A resource to be savored and treasured.”
–Nancy Lorraine in Midwest Book Review
This review refers to the print edition.