Stradivari and his Violins
For many years people have tried to replicate the amazing sound made by the Stradivarius violins. There have been theories on why he was able to make such exquisite music from his instruments but so far no one has been able to make the same sweet sounds. Some researchers believe that it was the wood he used that made the difference. Some believed he had used the wood from an old cathedral. This has since been proven wrong. Others feel that the wood came from a source that made it denser than normal woods and so better for making music. This theory takes into consideration the possibility that the wood grew in colder climates, which is why it would be denser since trees in colder climates grow slower. If this were the case, the wood would have very thin rings throughout. But, in many of his pieces this is not the case and so this theory is also of little relevance.
Other researchers, (these violins seem to be in a constant state of being studied by someone), think the glue is the influence that makes them sound better. Scientists have used a variety of tools to examine the Stradivarius violin. One theory has been that the shape of the violin makes the difference. The back pallet and belly shape may make the sound resonate differently.
Recently, a scientist in the United States reported making a violin with near Stradivarius quality. His theory had been that the wood was affected by certain circumstances and that if he could recreate these he would make a violin of similar quality. His theory was that at the time, wood was often stored in water since in Venice there was limited land space to put things. The wood rotted a little, as was shown by microscopic bits he was able to get from one of the violins. This rotting process changed the composition of the wood affecting the pores. He further treated the wood in borax. This material is similar to salt, but is used for many purposes. It is used for making detergents, as a food additive and is put in cosmetics. His claims have not as of yet been substantiated.
The inventor of these amazing instruments was Antonio Stradivari. He was born in Italy in 1644 to an upper class family. In 1680 he began his quest for the perfect violin. It was met with many failures. His early instruments were mediocre at best. He used only spruce or maple for these early violins. Later, when he was making his masterpieces he made the top part out of spruce; the interior pieces from willow and the neck, back and strip were made from maple. Stradivari did soak them in borax, just like the Texas scientist thought, but he also treated them with salt, Bianca, which is a lacquer and potassium silicate.
Over the years it became known what magnificence instruments Stradivari was making and they became prized by musicians and collectors alike. He made many violins for specific people and when he did this, he would name them after that person. These violins were named even after their purchase and many become known by the name of the musician who played it. He is likely the most famous violin-maker of all times. His violins made after the 1680s are potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece. But if the violin was made during what has been termed his golden period, it could be worth in the millions. In the spring of 2006, one that was made in 1707 sold for over three million dollars.
