Creating violins

There is something fascinating about watching people who are really good at something doing whatever it is they do. In a way, it doesn't even matter what it is that they are doing. We are taken by their mastery in and of itself. It is that mastery that intrigues us. But when the mastery is of something as magical as music...

Sam Zygmuntowicz is a master luthier. He makes violins, and he is considered to be one of the best in the world. Of course, when you're talking violins you inevitably think of Antonio Stradavari (or, if you're a fan of crossword puzzles, Nicolo Amati, whose last name seems to fit so well so often). Zygmuntowicz wants his work to be perceived by artists as of that quality, and it may well be. After all, there's nothing special about 17th Century Italy that should make its violins better than 21st Century Brooklyn. In fact, with all our technology today, we ought to be better. The only thing we can't make today is an object that is 400 years old...

The Art and Science of Violin Making tells the story of violin making, and includes a couple of videos of Zygmuntowicz at work. If you too are fascinated by people who are really good at doing something, or love violins, or both, check it out.