Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 175
Scan 175
the history of the violin, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 153. See the scan on archive.org.
1first who taught the use of the whole shift, but it had probably been attempted before him. He appears to have caused almost as great a sensation in the musical world as Paganini did, when he came over and astonished us. Anthony Wood says that at a music meeting at Oxford, Professor Wilson stooped down humorously to see if he had not a hoof. The following is Evelyn's account of him, 4th March, 1655-6:—"This night I was invited by Mr. Roger L'Estrange to hear the incomparable Lubicer on the violin. His variety on a few notes and plaine ground with that wonderful dexterity, was admirable. Tho' a young man, yet so perfect and skilful, that there was nothing, however cross and perplext, brought to him by our artists, which he did not play off at sight with ravishing sweetnesse and improvements, to the astonishment of our best masters. In sum, he plaid on y't single instrument a full concert, so as the rest flung down their instruments acknowledging their victory. As to my own particular, I stand to this hour amazed that God should give so greate perfection to so young a person. There were at that time as excellent in their profession as any were thought to be in Europ, Paul Wheeler, Mr. Mell, and others, till this prodigie appear'd." Davis Mell was then the greatest English performer, and in sweetness of tone is even said to have excelled Baltzar. The Lubicer was made the leader of King Charles's band, but died in July, 1663, having been of dissipated habits. He was succeeded by John Bannister, who died in 1679, whose son John was a fine performer on the violin, and one of King William's band, and the first violin at Drury Lane on the introduction of operas there.
3About 1672, Nicolas Matteis came over, as great a performer even as Baltzar. North says, every stroke
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