Anti-worms gave Stradivarius violins their unique sound: Study

The use of chemicals impregnated in the wood to avoid the attack of worms gave a unique sound to Stradivarius Violin by Antonio Stradivari NS Guarneri del Gesú, who used, as it was first identified, boron, zinc, copper, or alum salt.

The investigation he led National Taiwan University The theory formulated more than four decades ago by a professor emeritus of biochemistry at Texas A&M University has been endorsed by, Joseph Najevari.

Machines made by designers like Stradivari or Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri in Cremona (Italy) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries had fine craftsmanship, but its other secret was Chemicals used for wood bathing, which have not been identified until today.

“All my research over many years has been based on the assumption that the wood of the great masters has undergone an intense chemical treatment, and this had a direct role in creating the wonderful sound of Stradivarius and Guarneri.”Commenting on the results of the new study, Nagivari said in a note from his university.

The team is led by chemist Hwan-Ching Tai, who publishes their results in Applied Chemistry, for the first time, some of these compounds, such as Boron salt, zinc, copper and alum with lemon water.

The aim was to prevent the effects on wood of the infestation of worms, which were widespread at the time, explained Nagivari, who considered that each plant might have used its own method, to which “they could have attached great importance”, and that they were kept secret .

louiteurs can realize The honorary professor of biochemistry explained that the special salts they used in impregnating wood also. “It gave it useful mechanical resistance and acoustic advantages.”

The team of researchers found that chemicals were used throughout the wood, not just the surface, which directly affected the sound quality.

Processing and making fresh spruce panels with various water-based chemical treatments is critical to the final sound of the violin.

Najivari said more research is needed to clarify other details about the sound of history’s most famous violins, including how the chemicals and wood produced the pure tonal quality.

With information from EFE.

LLH