he
violin is associated with harmonious, appealing and seductive sounds
that can charm or captivate the listener, as numerous tales and legends from
French Canada and elsewhere reveal. Characters in "Les marionnettes,"
"Le violon magique"and "La légende de Rose
Latulippe" grapple with the almost magical powers attributed to the
violin. Used for entertainment, the violin had a dubious reputation and was
regarded suspiciously by the Church.
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![Violin - CMC 73-1063/S74-2291/CD94-161](images/opus525.jpg)
Violin
By
Michael Baran
Toronto, Ontario
1973
Eastern sycamore. giant redwood
Overall length: 59 cm;
body: 35.7 x 20.2 cm;
ribs: 3 cm
Gift of Michael Baran
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Michael Baran based this violin on a model by Antonio Stradivari and named
it "Dorothea."
Michael Baran
A native of Czechoslovakia, Michael Baran immigrated to Canada in 1928. His
interest in violin making began when he was around nine years old. After
acquiring experience by repairing numerous violins, he made his first instrument
in 1937. Baran also taught himself to play the violin as a teenager, inspired
by the performances of gypsies at popular celebrations in his native land.
Having a trade in addition to his work as a luthier always enabled Michael
Baran to generously give his violins to young musicians who could not afford
to buy them. |