Stewart Pollens
Encyclopedia
Trained as a violin
and keyboard-instrument maker, Stewart Pollens (born in New York
, 1949) served as the Conservator
of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
from 1976–2006. His work there included the restoration and maintenance of the museum's encyclopedic collection of over 5,000 instruments, as well as research, writing, and lecturing on the collection.
After leaving the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pollens formed Violin Advisor, LLC, a consulting firm that advises purchasers of fine violins. He continues to conduct research and write on the subject of musical instruments, including an article published in the May 2009 issue of The Strad on a scientific analysis of Stradivari's instrument varnish
. Pollens is frequently interviewed by publications that most recently include The New York Times
and Slate
.
In addition to his work at Violin Advisor, Stewart Pollens restores important stringed and early keyboard instruments for museums (including an early New York
piano
for the Merchant's House Museum
), private collectors, and musicians. His book Stradivari was published in February 2010 by Cambridge University Press
and includes new biographical information and detailed analyses of Stradivari's workshop materials preserved in the Museo Stradivariano in Cremona. Pollens's seminal work on the history of the piano, The Early Pianoforte (Cambridge University Press), was republished in paperback in 2009.
Stewart Pollens is married to the concert violinist Stephanie Chase
.
(London, 1992), The Early Pianoforte (Cambridge, 1995), Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (London, 1998), François-Xavier Tourte: Bow Maker (New York, 2001), and The Cambridge Companion to the Guitar
(Cambridge, 2003). He is a contributor to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and writes on a regular basis for The Strad.
Mr. Pollens's book The Violin Forms of Antonio Stradivari has been hailed as "the standard work on the evolution of Stradivarius's designs." This book contains life-size photographs of all of the extant wood forms and patterns used by Stradivari in the construction of his violins, violas, and cellos, and includes an analysis of their geometry.
In The Early Pianoforte, Pollens traces the history of the piano
back to 1440, nearly three-hundred years before the work of Bartolomeo Cristofori
, the harpsichord maker who is generally credited with having invented the piano in Florence around 1700. This book examines the work of numerous makers, including Henri Arnaut de Zwolle, Bartolomeo Cristofori, Giovanni Ferrini, Domenico del Mela, Henrique Van Casteel, Joachim José Antunes, Francisco Pérez Mirabal, Gottfried Silbermann
, and Christian Ernst Friederici.
In François-Xavier Tourte: Bow Maker, Stewart Pollens and co-author Henryk Kaston provide a technical description of Francois Tourte
's working methods and reveal new biographical facts based upon previously unpublished documents discovered in French archives.
Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù features 200 life-size color photographs taken by Pollens and complete technical documentation of the twenty-five Guarneri violins that were displayed in the “Masterpieces of Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù” exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1994. Containing newly discovered biographical and historical information, this is the most thorough study to date of this great maker and his work. Stewart Pollens contributed the chapter on dendrochronology
, a scientific procedure used to determine the age of the wood used in making violins.
In 1999, Stewart Pollens challenged the authenticity of the world's most famous violin, the Ashmolean Museum
's Messiah Stradivarius
, in a series of articles published in the Journal of the Violin Society of America. The controversy initiated by these articles and presentations at the Violin Society of America and the American Federation of Violin Makers was widely reported in major newspapers and magazines throughout the world.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and keyboard-instrument maker, Stewart Pollens (born in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 1949) served as the Conservator
Conservator
A Conservator is a judge delegated by the pope to defend certain privileged classes of persons — as universities, Roman Catholic religious orders, chapters, the poor — from manifest or notorious injury or violence, without recourse to a judicial process...
of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
from 1976–2006. His work there included the restoration and maintenance of the museum's encyclopedic collection of over 5,000 instruments, as well as research, writing, and lecturing on the collection.
After leaving the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pollens formed Violin Advisor, LLC, a consulting firm that advises purchasers of fine violins. He continues to conduct research and write on the subject of musical instruments, including an article published in the May 2009 issue of The Strad on a scientific analysis of Stradivari's instrument varnish
Varnish
Varnish is a transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing but also for other materials. Varnish is traditionally a combination of a drying oil, a resin, and a thinner or solvent. Varnish finishes are usually glossy but may be designed to produce satin or semi-gloss...
. Pollens is frequently interviewed by publications that most recently include The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and Slate
Slate (magazine)
Slate is a US-based English language online current affairs and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft as part of MSN. On 21 December 2004 it was purchased by the Washington Post Company...
.
In addition to his work at Violin Advisor, Stewart Pollens restores important stringed and early keyboard instruments for museums (including an early New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
for the Merchant's House Museum
Merchant's House Museum
The Merchant's House Museum, known formerly as the Old Merchant's House and as the Seabury Tredwell House, is the only nineteenth-century family home in New York City preserved intact — both inside and out. Built "on spec" in 1832 by Joseph Brewster, a hatter by trade, it is located at 29 East...
), private collectors, and musicians. His book Stradivari was published in February 2010 by Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
and includes new biographical information and detailed analyses of Stradivari's workshop materials preserved in the Museo Stradivariano in Cremona. Pollens's seminal work on the history of the piano, The Early Pianoforte (Cambridge University Press), was republished in paperback in 2009.
Stewart Pollens is married to the concert violinist Stephanie Chase
Stephanie Chase
"One of the most respected classical violinists in the world," Stephanie Chase is an American concert violinist and educator.- Biography :...
.
Publications and activities
Stewart Pollens has written extensively on stringed and early keyboard instruments, including The Violin Forms of Antonio StradivariAntonio Stradivari
Antonio Stradivari was an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is...
(London, 1992), The Early Pianoforte (Cambridge, 1995), Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (London, 1998), François-Xavier Tourte: Bow Maker (New York, 2001), and The Cambridge Companion to the Guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(Cambridge, 2003). He is a contributor to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and writes on a regular basis for The Strad.
Mr. Pollens's book The Violin Forms of Antonio Stradivari has been hailed as "the standard work on the evolution of Stradivarius's designs." This book contains life-size photographs of all of the extant wood forms and patterns used by Stradivari in the construction of his violins, violas, and cellos, and includes an analysis of their geometry.
In The Early Pianoforte, Pollens traces the history of the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
back to 1440, nearly three-hundred years before the work of Bartolomeo Cristofori
Bartolomeo Cristofori
Bartolomeo Cristofori di Francesco was an Italian maker of musical instruments, generally regarded as the inventor of the piano.-Life:...
, the harpsichord maker who is generally credited with having invented the piano in Florence around 1700. This book examines the work of numerous makers, including Henri Arnaut de Zwolle, Bartolomeo Cristofori, Giovanni Ferrini, Domenico del Mela, Henrique Van Casteel, Joachim José Antunes, Francisco Pérez Mirabal, Gottfried Silbermann
Gottfried Silbermann
Gottfried Silbermann was an influential German constructor of keyboard instruments. He built harpsichords, clavichords, organs, and fortepianos; his modern reputation rests mainly on the latter two.-Life:...
, and Christian Ernst Friederici.
In François-Xavier Tourte: Bow Maker, Stewart Pollens and co-author Henryk Kaston provide a technical description of Francois Tourte
François Tourte
François Xavier Tourte was a Frenchman who, though trained as a watchmaker, soon changed to making bows for playing classical string instruments such as the violin....
's working methods and reveal new biographical facts based upon previously unpublished documents discovered in French archives.
Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù features 200 life-size color photographs taken by Pollens and complete technical documentation of the twenty-five Guarneri violins that were displayed in the “Masterpieces of Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù” exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1994. Containing newly discovered biographical and historical information, this is the most thorough study to date of this great maker and his work. Stewart Pollens contributed the chapter on dendrochronology
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
, a scientific procedure used to determine the age of the wood used in making violins.
In 1999, Stewart Pollens challenged the authenticity of the world's most famous violin, the Ashmolean Museum
Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street, Oxford, England, is the world's first university museum...
's Messiah Stradivarius
Messiah Stradivarius
The Messiah-Salabue Stradivarius of 1716 is a violin made by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari of Cremona. It is considered to be the only Stradivarius in existence in as new state....
, in a series of articles published in the Journal of the Violin Society of America. The controversy initiated by these articles and presentations at the Violin Society of America and the American Federation of Violin Makers was widely reported in major newspapers and magazines throughout the world.
Awards and profiles
- American Musical Instrument SocietyAmerican Musical Instrument SocietyThe American Musical Instrument Society was formed in 1971 "to promote better understanding of all aspects of the history, design, construction, restoration, and usage of musical instruments in all cultures and from all periods"...
's Nicholas Bessaraboff Prize, 1997. - Profiles of Stewart Pollens have appeared in Sinfonica (March, 1999), City Journal (Spring, 1995), Continuo (April, 1989), and American Lutherie 20 (Winter, 1989).
- In 2002, Pollens was featured playing the world's oldest surviving piano, the Cristofori piano of 1720, on the WNET television arts program entitled "Egg."
Books
- Stradivari. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
- With Henryk Kaston. François-Xavier Tourte: Bow Maker. New York: Machold Rare Violins, 2001.
- With Carlo Chiesa, John Dilworth, Roger Hargrave, Duane Rosengard, and Eric Wen. Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu. London: Peter Biddulph, 1998.
- With Roger Hargrave. Amati, Stradivari, and Guarneri: The Library of Congress Violins. London: Peter Biddulph, 1997.
- The Early Pianoforte. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995; second printing 2009.
- With Carlo Chiesa, John Dilworth, and Duane Rosengard. The Violin Masterpieces of Guarneri del Gesù: An Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Maker’s Death. London: Peter Biddulph, 1994.
- The Violin Forms of Antonio Stradivari. London: Peter Biddulph, 1992.
- Forgotten Instruments. Katonah: The Katonah Gallery, 1980.
Articles
- "The Restoration of a Fortepiano by Conrad Graf, ca. 1838, in the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art." In Actes des Rencontres Internationales Harmoniques 2008. Forthcoming.
- "Cristofori and Erard." In Musique, Images, Instruments 11. Paris, 2009: 75-81.
- "The Pianoforte in the Performance of Scarlatti's Sonatas." In Domenico Scarlatti en Espana: Proceedings of FIMTE Symposia 2006-2007. Garrucha, 2009: 301-311.
- "The Care and Handling of Musical Instruments." In The Care and Handling of Art. New York and New Haven: Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yale University Press. Forthcoming.
- "Violin Cleaning and Retouching." In The Conservation and Restoration of Stringed Instruments and Bows. Forthcoming.
- "A Proposal for the Conservation of the Rediscovered 1690 Cristofori Spinetta Ovale and a Few Remarks." In Restauro e conservazione degli strumenti musicali antichi: la spinetta ovale di Bartolomeo Cristofori. Florence, 2008: 133-136.
- "The Instruments and Music Depicted in Caravaggio's Apollo the Luteplayer." In Caravaggio (New York, London; 2007): 45-46.
- "Animal Magic: Origins of the Patterns on One of Stradivari's Most Beautifully Decorated Violins," The Strad vol. 118, no. 1410 (October, 2007): 34-40.
- "Michele Todini's Golden Harpsichord: Changing Perspectives," Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography, vol. 32, nos. 1-2 (Spring-Fall, 2007): 142-151.
- "Beethoven's Pianos," Piano Today 1 (Fall, 2006), 7-8; 2 (Winter, 2007), 20-21; 3 (Spring, 2007): 24-25.
- Review of Stefano Pio, Violin and Lute Makers of Venice 1640-1760 (Venice, 2004), Journal of the Violin Society of America: VSA Papers, vol. 20, no. 2 (Summer, 2006): 219-222.
- "The Schumann/Brahms Conrad Graf Piano," The American Brahms Society Newsletter, vol. 24, no. 1 (Spring, 2006): 1-4.
- "Salmon, Stefkins, Visconti, and Stradivari: An Unlikely Collaboration." Viola da gamba und Viola da braccio: Symposium im Rahmen der 27. Tage Alter Musik in Herne 2002 (Munich, Salzburg; 2006): 57-68.
- "A Viola da Gamba Temperament Preserved by Antonio Stradivari," Eighteenth-Century Music vol. 5, no. 1 (March, 2006): 125-132.
- Review of Joel Speerstra, Bach and the Pedal Harpsichord: an Organist's Guide (Rochester, 2004) Eighteenth Century Music vol. 2, no. 2 (September, 2005): 337-340.
- "An Eye for Detail." (Biography of bow maker Henryk Kaston). The Strad vol. 116, no. 1383 (July, 2005): 30-36.
- "Venetian Debate." The Strad vol. 116, no. 1379 (March, 2005): 7.
- "Conserve the Cannon." The Strad vol. 115, no. 1376 (December, 2004): 1271.
- "Antonio Stradivari: Maker of Lutes in the French Style." Musique, Images, Instruments: Review française d' organologie et d' iconographie musicale (Paris, 2004): 28-46.
- "The Hill Bass Bar Collection." The Strad vol. 115, no. 1369 (May, 2004): 498-503.
- Review of Italian & French Violin Makers vol. 1, by Jost Thöne. The Strad vol. 115, no. 1369 (May, 2004): 548.
- “Softly, Softly.” (Interview with violin restorer and maker Horacio Pineiro.) The Strad vol. 114, no. 1353 (January, 2003): 44-49.
- Review of Italian Violin Making in Argentina, by Pablo Alejandro Saravi. The Strad vol. 114, no. 1361 (September, 2003): 1021.
- Review of The Violin of David Oistrakh: Stradivari "Conte de Fontana" 1702, by Danilo Prefumo. The Strad vol. 114, no. 1358 (June, 2003): 677.
- "Antonio Stradivari and the Baroque Guitar." In The Cambridge Companion to the Guitar, edited by Victor Anand Coelho, 207-28. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
- "The Gatti-Kraus Piano Action Ascribed to Bartolomeo Cristofori." The Galpin Society Journal vol. 55 (April, 2002): 269-78.
- "The Claviorgan by Lorenz Hauslaib, Nuremberg, 1598." In 600 Jahre Cembalobau in Osterreich, edited by Alfons Huber, 247-67. Tutzing: Hans Schneider, 2001.
- “Messiah Redux.” Journal of the Violin Society of America vol. 17, no. 3 (2001): 159-79.
- "The Messie: A Panel Discussion." Journal of the Violin Society of America vol. 17, no. 3 (2001): 181-222.
- “‘Messiah’ on Trial." The Strad vol. 112, no. 1336 (August, 2001): 854-58.
- Fifteen catalog entries in The Still Lifes of Evaristo Baschenis: The Music of Silence, edited by Andrea Bayer, 62-65. Milan: Olivares, 2000.
- "5000 Instruments, One Conservator: Conservation Practices and Policy at the Metropolitan Museum of Art." In Instruments pour demain: conservation & restauration des instruments de musique, 47-53. Champs-Sur-Marne: SFIIC, 2000.
- "Christoph Gottlieb Schröter: Inventor or Fraud." Early Keyboard Journal vol.18 (2000): 139-53.
- "A Pantalonclavichord by C. Kintzing of Neuwied, 1763." In De Clavicordio IV; Proceedings of the International Clavichord Symposium, Magnano, 8–11 September 1999, edited by Bernard Brauchli, Susan Brauchli, and Alberto Galazzo, 203-13. Magnano: Musica Antica a Magnano, 2000.
- "Le Messie." Journal of The Violin Society of America vol.16, no. 1 (1999): 77-101.
- "The Man Behind the Bows: François-Xavier Tourte." The Strad, vol.110, no. 1308 (April, 1999): 402-9.
- "Early Alterations Made to Ruckers, Couchet, and Grouwels Harpsichords in the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art." In Kielinstrumente aus der werkstatt Ruckers: Schriften des Händel-Hauses in Halle 14, 137-70. Halle an der Saale: Händel-Haus, 1998.
- "Flemish Harpsichords and Virginals in The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Metropolitan Museum Journal 32 (1997): 85-110.
- "Curtains for Cremona." (Profiles of the violin copyists Joseph Curtin and Gregg Alf.) The Strad vol. 106, no.1267 (November, 1995): 1160-1167.
- "Parley with Francais." (Interview with Jacques Francais about the work of Guarneri del Gesu.) The Strad vol. 105, no. 1254 (October, 1994): 973-979.
- "The Violin Forms of Antonio Stradivari." Journal of the Violin Society of America vol.13, no. 3 (1994): 87-120.
- "Interview with Daniel Phillips." The Strad vol. 104, no. 1243 (November, 1993):1072.
- "Chasing the Authentic Sound." (Interview with violinist Stephanie Chase about the use of period instruments and original text sources in the first recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Romances on Classical Instruments.) The Strad vol. 104, no. 1243 (November, 1993): 1060-1064.
- “An Upright Pianoforte by Domenico Del Mela.” The Galpin Society Journal vol. 45 (1992): 22-28.
- "Three Keyboard Instruments Signed by Cristofori's Assistant, Giovanni Ferrini." The Galpin Society Journal vol. 44 (1991): 77-93.
- "Michele Todini's Golden Harpsichord: An Examination of the Machine of Galatea and Polyphemus." Metropolitan Museum Journal vol. 25 (1990): 33-47.
- "Curt Sachs and Musical Instrument Restoration." The Musical Times vol. 130, no.1760 (October, 1989): 589-94.
- Review of Piano Information Guide, by Robert Palmieri. The Musical Times vol. 131, no. 1766 (April, 1990): 203-204.
- Review of The Piano (New Grove Musical Instrument Series), by Philip R. Belt. The Musical Times vol. 131, no. 1764 (February, 1990): 93-94.
- "Early Nineteenth-Century German Language Works on Piano Maintenance." Early Keyboard Journal vol. 8 (1990): 91-109.
- Review of The Violin Makers of the United States, by Thomas James Wenberg. The Strad vol. 99, no. 1183 (November, 1988): 930.
- Review of Count Ignazio Alessandro Cozio di Salabue, translated and edited by David Woodrow and Andrew Dipper. The Strad vol. 99, no. 1179 (July, 1988): 573.
- "Young Master." (Profile of the bow maker and restorer Yung Chin.) The Strad vol. 99, no. 1175 (March, 1988): 207-11.
- "The House that Jack Built." (Profile of the violin dealer Jacques Français and a discussion of his system of violin identification.) The Strad vol. 99, no. 1183 (November, 1988): 879-89.
- "Historic Lute and Violin Varnish Formulas: 1500-1800." Journal of the Violin Society of America vol. 8, no. 2 (1987): 31-40.
- "The Bonafinis Spinet." Atti del XIV Congreso della Societa Internazionale di Musicologia, Study Session: Cembali, e cembali che fanno il piano e il forte, edited by Eva Badura-SkodaEva Badura-SkodaEva Badura-Skoda is a German/Austrian musicologist.Eva Halfar studied at the Vienna Conservatory and took courses in musicology, philosophy, and art history at the universities of Heidelberg, Vienna , and Innsbruck Eva Badura-Skoda (née Halfar) is a German/Austrian musicologist.Eva Halfar studied...
, Bologna: International Musicological Society,1987: 286-287. - "The Bonafinis Spinet: An Early Harpsichord Converted into a Tangent Piano." Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society vol. 13 (1987): 5-22.
- "Violins on View." (Preview of the 1987 Stradivari exhibition in Cremona.) The Strad vol. 98, no. 1169 (September 1987): 685-87.
- "Cremonese Reincarnation." (Documentation of Samuel Zygmuntowicz copying the 1733 "Kreisler" Guarneri del Gesù.) The Strad vol. 98, no.1171 (November, 1987): 835-45.
- "Prodigious Celebration." (Review of the 1987 "Capolavori di Antonio Stradivari" exhibition in Cremona.) The Strad vol. 98, no. 1172 (December, 1987): 957-61.Review of The Herbert Axelrod Stradivari Quartet by Jacques Francais. The Strad vol. 98, no. 1155 (July, 1986): 201-202.
- Review of From Violin Making to Music: The Life and Works of Simone Fernando Sacconi, edited by Franco Feroldi. The Strad vol. 97, no. 1154 (June, 1986): 131.
- "Gottfried Silbermann's Pianos." The Organ Yearbook vol. 17 (1986): 103-21.
- "Travelling Apprenticeship." (An account of Rembert Wurltizer's early years and travels through England and the Continent as revealed by letters to his family.) The Strad vol. 97, no.1160 (December, 1986): 559-64. “Fine Tuning.” (An interview with Jascha Heifetz’s lifelong luthier, Benjamin Koodlach.) The Strad vol. 96, no. 1150 (February, 1986): 781-2.
- “Morel Responsibility.” (Interview with violin restorer René Morel.) The Strad vol. 97, no. 1154 (June, 1986): 102-4. "First Class." (Profile of the violin maker David Burgess.) The Strad vol. 97, no. 1159 (November, 1986): 487-90.
- "Knotty Problems." (Profile of the violin bow maker William Salchow.) The Strad vol. 46, no.1147 (November, 1985): 487-490.
- "The Early Portuguese Piano." Early Music vol. 13, no. 1 (February, 1985): 18-27.
- "The Pianos of Bartolomeo Cristofori." Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society vol. 10 (1984): 32-68.