Information on the Stradivarius
The fame of the Stradivarius is not a modern phenomenon.
During the time the Sherlock Holmes stories were written, it was said that Sherlock Holmes owned one of the instruments. Stradivari didn’t just make violins. In fact, the Spanish Government owns the only complete set of Stradivarius instruments, which consists of two violins, two cellos and a viola. There are currently seven hundred genuine Stradivarius instruments and very few are unaccounted for.
The reputation of the Stradivarius is such that its name is often invoked when referring to a high standard of excellence.
There have been many failed attempts over the years to attempt to explain and reproduce the quality of the sound. One idea was that there was something to do with tree rings of the wood but this has been found to be false. Another theory was that very old wood was used—wood from the little ice age—making the wood denser than regular wood. Others believe that the quality of the instrument was due to special wood glue that was used to make the instruments.
Researchers have used a scanning laser vibrometer to test the theory that careful shaping of the belly and the back plate in order to tune their resonant frequencies may play an important role.
(we know nothing about this violan it was left to my husband) inside it says Antonious Stradivarious Cremonenisi Faciebat Anno 1713 Made in Czechoslovakis. Any clues
March 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm