Books › Musical instruments at the World's Columbian Exposition : a review of musical instruments, publications and musical instrument supplies of all kinds, exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, May 1 to October 31, 1893, and the awards given for these exhibits (from all nations) w, 1895 › scan 185
Scan 185
Musical instruments at the World's Columbian Exposition : a review of musical instruments, publications and musical instrument supplies of all kinds, exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, May 1 to October 31, 1893, and the awards given for these exhibits (from all nations) w, 1895
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 181. See the scan on archive.org.
1contains one of the finest and most valuable displays of violins in the country. The specialties of the firm comprise the "Gemuder Art Violins," "Gemunder" solo mandolins and guitars, "Concert" (tested) strings, "Gemunder" G strings and solo violin bows, etc. Here the violin enthusiast, the connoisseur, may examine at leisure the famous Gemunder imitations of the Guanerius, Stradivarius, and Paolo Maggini violins, which have created a genuine sensation in the musical world. The firm of August Gemunder & Sons represents three generations of successful violin makers. The Gemunder violins possess great power, unusual mellowness and sweet sympathetic quality of tone. The instruments are as clear as a bell and are noted for their remarkable carrying power. They are constructed on the old Italian principles, and are varnished exclusively with the Italian amber varnish, in various transparent colors, from the light golden yellow to the ruby red. As is well known, for many years it has always been claimed and considered necessary by experts, that violins and all instruments of the violin family, were required to be old to be considered absolutely perfect. Mr. August Gemunder has discovered the secret of the Italian construction and has succeeded in changing the opinion of some noted experts on the subject. Mr. Gemunder speaks with the weight and authority of an expert and a past-master, and in support of his theory regarding the superiority of his instruments to the old ones, says: "instruments so constructed are preferable to the old violins, because the wood used is old, and not having been in vibration for several centuries, the same has retained its strength; old violins have had more vibration than they can endure; they are also generally in a damaged condition, being broken, scraped and re-lined." Mr. Gemunder has demonstrated to the connoisseur that the old Italian violins are more successful in their imitations than in their originals, and he has expended a long life in exemplifying the cause he so dearly loves and in demonstrating the theory he so firmly believes in. The firm has also achieved considerable distinction in the manufacture of 'cellos, that are remarkably even in their quality of tone, beautifully sonorous, and entirely free from the nasal quality so prominent in so many makes of 'cellos. No less an artist than Victor Herbert writes:
3"Your violoncellos have pleased me exceedingly. They are equally excellent in quality of tone, responsiveness, and workmanship, and undoubtedly rank among the most distinguished instruments of the violin maker's art."
5The name, August Gemunder, on a violin, has become a guarantee for its excellence. To quote from a little brochure published by the firm:
7"Our instruments need no playing to improve them. They are perfect when sold. Many makers claim that constant playing will develop all the fine qualities of a violin. No notice should be taken of such promises. If the violin does not possess all the qualities necessary when shown by its maker, it can never acquire the same through actual use. It simply proves that such violins are not constructed on the old Italian principles."
9The "Gemunder Art Violins" are to-day acknowledged the standard violins of the world. Sarasate,
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