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Scientists Dispel The Mystery Surrounding Stradivarius Violins
Science Daily ^ | 2005-07-13

Posted on 07/17/2005 9:35:07 AM PDT by nickcarraway

Antonius Stradivarius violins are shrouded in more myths than any other instruments in world history. At Mid Sweden University, researchers are using modern technology to uncover his secrets. At the international acoustics conference ICSV12, taking place in Lisbon on July 11-14, 2005, Associate Professor Mats Tinnsten will be presenting the latest research findings in the field.

"It's not possible to copy Stradivarius violins exactly, since wood is a living material with great natural variations. The results of new research indicate, however, that we will be able to overcome such difficulties with the aid of advanced computer support," says Mats Tinnsten.

The Italian Antonius Stradivarius, 1644-1737, introduced a geometry and design that became the exemplar for all violin-makers. Of the 1,100 instruments he built, some 650 still survive. The extremely high value of these instruments was demonstrated at an auction at Christie's in London in April. The 'Lady Tennant' Stradivarius violin sold for more than SEK 14 million, the auction record for a musical instrument.

"His craftsmanship is still unexcelled. Few after the death of Stradivarius have managed to produce anything that even approaches his best work," says Mats Tinnsten, who, together with Associate Professor Peter Carlsson, is researching whether it is possible to copy Stradivarius violins with the aid of modern technology and powerful computers.

What the Mid Sweden University scientists are trying to create is a violin with the same acoustic properties as a Stradivarius instrument. This work is progressing in stages, and it was decided that the first stage would involve calculations based on the top of the violin.

"With the help of advanced mathematical optimization method, we can determine how a top should be shaped to achieve the same properties as a top from a genuine Stradivarius," says Peter Carlsson.

The reason it is not possible to simply copy a top or an entire violin exactly is that it can never be assumed that the new top will have the same material properties as the old one.

During the 12th International Congress on Sound and Vibration, ICSV12 at the Lisbon University of Technology, Mats Tinnsten will show how far along he and Peter Carlsson have progressed in their pursuit of the perfect violin.

"Stradivarius violins were made of slow-growth spruce. Perhaps our research will help create a new instrument-making industry in northern Sweden," concludes Peter Carlsson.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Science
KEYWORDS: antoniusstradivarius; archaeology; cremona; ggg; godsgravesglyphs; history; italy; matstinnsten; music; petercarlsson; renaissance; science; stradivarius; violins
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To: RosieCotton

I see you play mandolin.
Have you ever seen a tiple?


41 posted on 07/17/2005 3:26:37 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife

BTW, if you were really intested in learning to build, some luthiers have programs where they'll help you build a violin in their shop, though of course they charge for it. But it might be a good way to try it without having to spring for tools, and to get a really good idea of what would be involved and what tools you'd really need. ;-)


42 posted on 07/17/2005 3:27:03 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: RosieCotton

I had looked into taking Luthier instruction at one point as a springboard into the art


43 posted on 07/17/2005 3:30:00 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife
She's learning from / working for a luthier in Northern Vermont. She does some of the more mundane repair work (repairing cracks, setting up instruments, etc.), and in return gets something of a discount for his teaching her. I think eventually she hopes to work for him for pay for awhile, doing repair work so he has more time for actual building, and then at some point setting out on her own.

It's not an easy thing to get started in, though, I don't think. He's got a name for himself, and she'll have that in her favor...but it's not exactly something you can get rich doing, I wouldn't say. Takes too much time, plus there are the materials. And until your name is known, it can be a struggle.

I gotta say, I'm impressed with my sister, though. It's really delicate work, and an art. I'm lousy at anything like that!

44 posted on 07/17/2005 3:32:02 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: RosieCotton

I really find the craftsmanship and knowledge fascinating there are many arts that are in danger of being lost thru Mass production


45 posted on 07/17/2005 3:32:20 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife

There are some interesting pictures on that site - you may find it interesting!


46 posted on 07/17/2005 3:32:34 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: mylife

I've seen a tiple in pictures at least, but never played one. I'm not sure how it's tuned, either. I do know how to pronounce it...that counts for something!

Do you play?


47 posted on 07/17/2005 3:33:32 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: mylife

That's one thing I think that draws me to acoustic instruments. Yes, there are factory made ones (lots and lots - the vast majority), but there is still hands-on work even there. And there are still lots of people building handmade instruments.

They are truly art, in addition to being tools for making music. I love that about them.

If I had a lot of money...I'd have more than I do. I still have better instruments than I deserve, but I love 'em! That's gotta count for something...


48 posted on 07/17/2005 3:35:20 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: RosieCotton
it's not exactly something you can get rich doing, I wouldn't say. Takes too much time, plus there are the materials. And until your name is known, it can be a struggle.

L0L Yes I know. Its a passion thing. My craftwork is only kept alive thru family and friends.

Im presently reworking some rifle stocks for a friend. I only do carvings for family.

Your not gonna get rich unless you can tap into a community of rich folks, and produce some thing that they are passionate about.

49 posted on 07/17/2005 3:40:09 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: RosieCotton

Beautiful work. Id love to hear them


50 posted on 07/17/2005 3:42:50 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: RosieCotton

No I dont play. my granduncle did and he could whoop up a storm on the fiddle,mandolin, and tiple.

I have his 10 string tiple, I believe the other instruments have been lost


51 posted on 07/17/2005 3:46:09 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife
Never Mind!
52 posted on 07/17/2005 3:47:52 PM PDT by Young Werther
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To: Young Werther

Haw hoo!


53 posted on 07/17/2005 3:53:48 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: mylife

That's what I meant by China being a direct competitor.


54 posted on 07/17/2005 4:34:21 PM PDT by RightWhale (Substance is essentially the relationship of accidents to itself)
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To: mylife

I wish I knew more about them! They're tuned in pairs like a mandolin, right? Five pairs? There's a proper term for that, but I don't know it. Courses, maybe?


55 posted on 07/17/2005 4:58:58 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: RosieCotton

pair, triplet, triplet, pair


56 posted on 07/17/2005 5:01:47 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: RosieCotton

actually I guess its doublet, triplet, tripet, doublet L0L


57 posted on 07/17/2005 5:07:43 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: RosieCotton
Mines a 10 string, I forgot they make 12s as well all triplets

wonderful sound

58 posted on 07/17/2005 5:12:18 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: sitetest

Please add me to the list.
Thanks


59 posted on 07/17/2005 5:23:29 PM PDT by investigateworld ( God bless Poland for giving the world JP II & a Protestant bump for his Sainthood!)
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To: investigateworld

Done!


60 posted on 07/17/2005 5:29:51 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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