The secret of the unique sound of Stradivari violins is revealed
A joint study by scientists from Taiwan National University and Texas A&M University confirmed that the violin maker Antonio Stradivari treated violins with a special chemical composition, which gave them a unique sound. Experts talked about their work in the Angewandte Chemie International Edition .
Many of the chemicals that Stradivari used were identified by scientists for the first time. Another Italian craftsman, Giuseppe Guarneri, also used similar woodworking for his instruments.
For the first time, the theory about the chemicals used to treat violins was expressed by Joseph Nagyvari of Texas A&M University. Now these assumptions have been substantiated.
So, the researchers found that the wood was treated with substances such as borax, zinc, copper and alum, mixed with lime water. It is noted that borax has been used as a preservative and insecticide since ancient times, when the Egyptians used the mineral for mummification.
The scientists also determined that not only the surface of the wood was treated with the mixture, as the substances were found inside it, which directly affects the sound quality.
Today, only 600 Stradivari violins have survived. Giuseppe Guarneri's instruments were not so popular during his lifetime, but now they are considered equal in quality to Antonio Stradivari's violins. Their price reaches and exceeds $ 10 million.
