{"id":1672,"date":"2022-10-31T18:33:03","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T18:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/main\/?p=1672"},"modified":"2022-10-31T18:33:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T18:33:03","slug":"researchers-uncover-new-clue-to-stradivarius-exemplary-sound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/main\/2022\/10\/31\/researchers-uncover-new-clue-to-stradivarius-exemplary-sound\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers Uncover New Clue to Stradivarius\u2019 Exemplary Sound"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Stradivarius
New research shows a protein-based layer between the wood and the varnish coating of two Stradivarius violins. (Photo: Analytical Chemistry 2022)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new research paper sheds more light on the craftsmanship of Stradivarius, with clues that take a look inside his venerated craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

Despite\u00a0some evidence to the contrary<\/a>, the violins of Stradivarius and Cremonese violin makers of the 17th and into the 18th centuries are still prized above that of more recent instruments. Musical and scientific sleuths ever since have been trying to decode the secrets of their craft.<\/p>\n

What makes them sound so heavenly?<\/strong><\/p>\n

That quest for answers got a boost from Italian researchers in a paper published by the\u00a0American Chemical Society<\/a>\u00a0that outlines the findings of their chemical analysis of two venerable violins.<\/p>\n

As the researchers pointed out, the way that ground coats and varnish layers are treated on a string instrument directly affects \u201cthe vibro-mechanical and acoustic behaviour of the violins\u201d.<\/p>\n

The researchers had unprecedented access to analyze a very thin strip of material from two known Stradivari, the Toscano 1690 violin (permission granted from the Accademia of Santa Cecilia in Rome), and the Munetsugu Foundation and M\u00b0 Sota Nakazawa (Nippon Violins, Tokyo), conservator of the San Lorenzo 1718 violin.<\/p>\n

Optical instruments alone cannot provide a clear picture of the layers intact. However, due to its age, a slight fracturing between the layers could be detected. Previous testing of various kinds on Stradivari has yielded some evidence of collagen from animal-based glues, and other traces of protein.<\/p>\n

What the test protocol \u2014 called an infrared s-SNOM punctual analysis \u2014 clearly shows is the spread of a \u201cthin proteinaceous layer\u201d between the wood and varnish.<\/p>\n