Who are some famous fiddle players?

Answer 1

Have you ever heard the saying, "No matter how good you are at something, there's always someone better?" Well once you reach such a high ability in, violin playing for example, the best violin player in the world is simply one's opinion.

Interesting question, and I agree that there is no definitive answer. There are multiple aspects of that question. Technical ability, repertoire, composition, emotion, etc... etc..

Anyway, Corelli was the first to make the violin a solo instrument. Bach (who wasn't really a violin soloist) composed his Sonatas and Partitas also helped influence the soloistic part of the violin. Vivaldi and Tartini then increased the technical demands of soloists. Locatelli was another violinist who greatly improved technical aspects. However, Nicolo Paganini, to the eyes of the crowd, took his revolution the furthest.

No other violinist has been accused as "selling his soul to the devil" for their virtuosic abilities. Most historians agree that Paganini was more a phenomenon than any other violinist; he completely revolutionized violin-playing. The things which Paganini composed, almost nobody could play, or play well enough to not be embarrassed in performance, save for Paganini himself. He also practically invented or further developed many different techniques, such as the the more common use of left hand pizzicato (undoubtedly from his guitar playing). Within the thirty years of his violin career it is arguable he did more for the violin than any other artist. Also, in today's world, many violinists practice for 5-8 hours a day, perhaps even more. However, while Paganini did practice some, he improvised a lot of the things he played, and he wrote his own music during his career, sometimes performing it only a few weeks after writing it, with obviously a lot less practice than today's artists. I do not know of any violinists today who (can) do that.

Since Paganini was before the time of recording, we cannot compare his playing to the world's current violinists.

Another aspect, is repertoire. Soloists before the 20th century were not only required to play works of other composers, but they were also required to write their own music. Nowadays, most musicians play the works of others and don't compose their own music. (there are exceptions.)

Of the common era of violininists (around the 1850+, give or take a few decades) I have heard people argue that any of these violinists was or is the best in the world:

Ysaye, Sarasate, Ernst, Sauret, Kreisler, Wieniawski, Vieuxtemps, Bazzini, Joachim, Enescu, Francescatti, Kogan, Heifetz, Menuhin, Milstein, Oistrakh, Stern, Szeryng, Thibaud, Perlman, Zuckerman, Kremer, Gitlis, Rubenstein, Mintz, Mutter, Zimmermann, Bell, Repin, Shaham, Vengerov, Schmidt, Carmignola Chang, Hahn, and Kavakos

and there are, of course, dozens of others. These are simply some of the most well-known. I'm sorry if i skipped your favorite. (Favorites, often influence who you think best is.)

Now I leave you with a quote from Bartok, "Competition is for horses, not artists." paganini

Answer 2

As this is an opinion question, I cannot give you an accurate answer. Everyone thinks that different people are the best, and I personally think that Shinichi Suzuki is the best, but one may think differently. I'm terribly sorry if this does not answer your question. You may find it helpful to check some other websites if you would like a different opinion. Thank you for asking "Who is the best violinist?" and have a great day. :)

Answer 3

Niccolò Paganini.

He was a composer and violinist who lived from 1782-1840. He profoundly changed and advanced the technique used on the violin as a solo instrument by the larger European music community.

His performances were so brilliant that it was rumored he had made a pact with the devil and exchanged his soul for his virtuosity. These rumors were so widespread and persistent that, after he refused last rites a week before he died - apparently he thought the expectation of his demise to be a bit premature - and a priest could not be summoned in time to administer them a week later when he did die, it took 36 years after his death before his body was allowed to be buried in the church cemetery in Parma.

The musical literature he left for violin is some of the most difficult that has ever been written for the instrument. Those who heard him perform his pieces said he executed them flawlessly.

He had exceptionally long fingers, possibly as a result of Marfan Syndrome, and could play three octaves across four strings in a single hand span, a feat even by modern standards.

Answer 4

Johnny is the best there has ever been so he is.

Answer 5

Charlie Daniels is the most famous fiddle player in country music.

Answer 6

kenny baker