Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 last
To: mylife

Mmmm...tiple porn. Very pretty!

I liked the sound samples. Sounds almost like a cross between a zither and a mandolin.

So many fascinating instruments, so little time to learn how to play 'em!


61 posted on 07/17/2005 6:20:46 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton

So little time is right L0L

The sound samples were so so

I really like them played in the peruvian style and the appalachian style Uncle Roy played Appalacian


62 posted on 07/17/2005 6:23:54 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton
Have you been here? Mandolin Cafe Great sounds! enjoy I love the classical stuff as well, Vivaldi wrote some great mandolin pieces
63 posted on 07/17/2005 6:26:56 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton
Here Ya go... Rainin on the Moon Happy pickin ;)
64 posted on 07/17/2005 7:00:13 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: cyborg
Three violin makers have been selling violins for years on the same block in the small town of Cremona, Italy.

After years of a peaceful co-existence, the Amati shop decided to put a sign in the window saying:
"We make the best violins in Italy."

The Guarneri shop copied them, and put a sign in their window saying:
"We make the best violins in the world."

Finally, the Stradivari family put a sign out at their shop saying:
"We make the best violins on the block."

65 posted on 07/17/2005 7:24:32 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: mylife

I used to have one, but it fell apart. I do know a prominent congressman who played (plays?) the tiple pretty well, but I can't divulge his name without permission.


66 posted on 07/17/2005 7:28:07 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: mylife

I've been there, but not for awhile - thanks for the link! I like the jazzy stuff, too!


67 posted on 07/17/2005 7:28:44 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton
Double strung like a mandolin (Italian, not French, those are too sharp) but tuned like a ukulele.
68 posted on 07/17/2005 7:32:53 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: mylife

OK, that is just plain awesome. Whoever this is, I *need* their CD.


69 posted on 07/17/2005 7:45:19 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton

tim ohmenson


70 posted on 07/17/2005 7:48:49 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Doctor Stochastic

I've never heard of French and Italian mandolin, maybe because I'm not as familiar with classical mandolin as I should be. The only (standard) mando tuning I know of is just like a violin, though doubled, of course. And I know classical mandolins are generally bowlback with an oval soundhole rather than the carved top mandolins with F holes that are typically used in bluegrass and jazz and such.

What does the French and Italian refer to?


71 posted on 07/17/2005 7:51:30 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Doctor Stochastic

mines an old national made in the 20s i think. Its comin apart too L0L the string tension is so high with 10 strings that the bridge is coming loose. I want to use polyurethane or epoxy to repair it but folks in the business have told me to leave it alone for historical purposes.

We got some great musicians in the political world Have you heard TherealmrB? hes a freeper and representitive


72 posted on 07/17/2005 8:03:16 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: RosieCotton

73 posted on 07/17/2005 8:04:48 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: Doctor Stochastic

LOL! Duh! I totally didn't catch it.

That's great!


74 posted on 07/17/2005 8:05:48 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Doctor Stochastic

Now I feel really stoopid. ;-)


75 posted on 07/17/2005 8:06:15 PM PDT by RosieCotton (Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity. - G.K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

This topic was posted 7/17/2005, thanks nickcarraway.

76 posted on 07/16/2022 9:43:20 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson