The Stradivarius Complex - Documentary about the exceptional violin maker David Bagué (2013)

Video Description

From his atelier in Barcelona, David Bagué, one of the world’s most talented and charismatic luthiers, dedicates body and soul to making violins with a single purpose: to reach the transcendence Stradivarius’ violins achieved. ------- Subscribe to wocomoMUSIC: https://goo.gl/ahZRzC Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wocomo ---------- “The Stradivarius complex” follows David Bagué through the process of making a violin; from the day he receives the order to the moment the musician plays the instrument for the very first time. We will watch the progress of his work to analyse the reason why Stradivarius’ violins are still the most valued ones. We will also reflect on the role of contemporary luthery compared to the great luthiers of the past, and we will find out some essential aspects about David’s life: Cremona, the city where Stradivarius worked and his source of inspiration; Ruggiero Ricci, one of the best violin players of the 20th century and the man who discovered David; Jordi Savall, a point of reference in the international music scene and a great friend to him; and Leonidas Kavakos, one of the best violin players of the present day. It is a story of the pursuit of excellence that will open us the doors of an unknown profession, where artwork and craftwork, instinct and technique, tradition and modernity oppose and complement each other like the harmony of violin music. ---------- THE STRADIVARIUS COMPLEX Director’s Notes of Josep Padró Some years ago, I read an American best seller and I discovered the world of luthery. A very interesting and little known profession, which is strongly related to music and art. Since I was a child, I have always admired artisan works, probably because I am bad at making handicrafts, and I have always loved Art, in all its forms, but Music is the artistic form I appreciate most. Therefore it is not surprising that I found a world which mixes two things I admire very interesting. I soon started to investigate and gather information, more for hobby than for work. What surprised me most was something that I considered an exaggeration of a novel rather than something real. Musicians, luthiers and all people related to this profession live obsessed with the figure of an ancient Italian violin maker named Antonius Stradivarius. I discovered, surprised, that people would do incredible things to get an original Stradivarius. Some time later, I was fortunate to meet David Bagué, the best Spanish luthier, and one of the five most valued luthiers in the world. Bagué is a unique character, who fits perfectly in his profession. Strong personality, lonely, introverted and self-confident; and with something special he calls instinct. He is a luthier who rejected the classical teachings of Stradivarius' school to sculpt himself. The documentary began soon to take shape in my mind. I had an interesting and little known subject and a unique character. Therefore, I had the two main ingredients to tell a good story. Through this universal story I want to unveil the world of luthery as it has never been done before, by showing an intimate and close approach to the daily life of a modern violin maker and his fervour to make a perfect Stradivarius. This documentary will show us the daily struggle of a person in his search of the Art. A sincere and personal vision of an artist who lives surrounded by the past to build a work of the future. This film intends to approximate art to the spectator and demonstrate that with determination, passion and dedication nothing is impossible. ©2013, 3boxmedia