Review | Violin Masters: Two Gentlemen of Cremona

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Plot: What’s it about?Video: How does it look?Audio: How does it sound?Supplements: What are the extras?

Plot: What’s it about?

In the world of violins, everyone knows the name of Antonio Stradivari. The legendary instruments he created have been sought after for countless years, with astronomical value to those interested. But at the same time Stradivari was crafting his violins in the Italian town of Cremona, so was Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu. While not as famous as Stradivari, del Gesu’s violins have also been the objects of affection for musicians worldwide. In Two Gentlemen of Cremona, we’re shown the impact of these two men and their timeless creations. Through interviews with historians, musicians, and other experts, the tales of these two men come to life and we learn about the past, present, and future of their violins. For fans of fine music or violin enthusiasts, Two Gentlemen of Cremona promises to be insightful and memorable.

Aside from some piano lessons, I have minimal experience when it comes to musical instruments. That said, even I know about Antonio Stradivari’s masterful violins. This program might be aimed at those with an interest in violins, but anyone who appreciates music will enjoy Two Gentlemen of Cremona. This program takes an in depth look inside the work of two master violin crafters, both their lives and their creations. Most of the content is interviews , but there is a wide scope of participants, so varied perspectives are offered. Historians detail the real life details of the time the men lived in, while musicians and expert discuss why the violins are so sought after and valuable. At an hour in length, I am sure some depth is sacrificed, but there is still a wealth of insight within this program. So if you have even a casual interest in fine music, Violin Masters: Two Gentlemen of Cremona is a program you’ll want to look into.

Video: How does it look?

Violin Masters: Two Gentlemen of Cremona is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a clean, clear visual treatment with no problems to mention. The content is mostly interviews, so there isn’t much visual flair, but the program looks as good as possible. The colors are natural, contrast is smooth, and no errors pop up. So in the end, this program looks quite good and that is great news.

Audio: How does it sound?

A Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is present and sounds fine. As I said, this is driven by interviews, so the audio is limited to vocals most of the time. The dialogue sounds excellent though, so each interview sounds crystal clear and balanced. Some music is present and it sounds good, but not remarkable. This disc also includes English subtitles.