For double bassists interested in assessing the original documents for themselves, I can think of no better introduction to the subject, or list of sources...a tremendous amount of information may be gleaned from Planyavsky's book. Much praise is due both to the author, for his pioneering, inspiring and long-standing contributions to this field, and the translator, James Barket, for having ... Read moremade them widely accessible to the English-speaking community at last.
Bass World
A rich history of the violone is developed both in prose and in 58 illustrations...an important work to have rendered in English...an important read for anyone interested in the early history of stringed instruments.
CASJ
...an important resource for double bassists and others interested in the origin and evolution of the instrument.
Jerry Fuller
The Strad
Planyavsky's book is full of very valuable information. Now that it is available in English there is no longer an impediment keeping players of these large instruments from learning about their history.
Early Music
Planyavsky's significant contributions to the English-language musical literature could stimulate the continued development of bass playing by enlightening players and their public as to the bassist's role in orchestra, chamber music, and solo playing, as well as the bassist's place in history.
Strings
He has been the most prolific writer on this subject during the last thirty years...a tremendous amount of information may be gleaned from Planyavsky's book. Much praise is due both to the author, for his pioneering, inspiring and long-standing contributions to this field, and the translator, James Barket, for having made them widely accessible to the English-speaking community at last.
International Society Of Bassists
...Planyavsky's book...should lead the way to future studies in early bass instrumentation.
Journal of The American Musical Instrument Society
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