Weds. morning links

New and old violins

What a lot of folks don't know is that Stradivari and Guarneri violins, the majority in fact, were not built by Antonio Stradivari or Andrea Guarneri. These two luthiers operated under the artisan atelier system where a master guided the production of a high quality product which was sold under the masters "brand." So while it might be a Stradivarius or Guarneri, it probably wasn't built by the masters themselves. And like most hand made manufacturing operations, little differences between builders crept in so basically every instrument is "different". Add in the fact that these instruments were built over a period of 100 or more years and you can deduce that there is really no such feature as a "distinctive" sound.

One of the more interesting factoids which more violin "purists" like to ignore is that the Stradivari and Guarneri violins are based on violins built by the Amati family, in particular Andrea Amati who designed and built the definitive form and shape of the violins of the period. Antonio Stradivari and Andrea Guarneri studied under Nicolò Amati the Grandson of Andrea Amati. There are a few examples of them still around.

The other problem with "authentic" sound is that most of these violins have been rebuilt at least once, many twice - in effect they are no more "authentic" than a new one built by a luthier in Des Moines. The reason is that the glues and varnish's deteriorate over time and need replacing. The only truly completely original Stradivarius is the "Messiah" Stradivarius. Messiah has never been played so it is all original. The only other Stradivarius that is near original is the "Lady Blunt".

In any case, each of these instruments have differing sounds and registers. One may play and sound beautiful in the upper registers, but merely ordinary in the lower. This is also the same for middle and lower registers. The trick is to match the pieces being played to the violin's natural resonance. This is also true of modern instruments, but with modern techniques and tools, the playability and sound is more even.

Trivia: Jack Benny owned a Stradivarius and played it. Oddly, it was called "Benny".

Aren't you glad you asked?

#1 Tom Francis on 2012-01-04 07:57 (Reply)

"The Catholics will have to change their views..."

Well of course. The people who scream the loudest about dissent and toleration wouldn't allow such things for others. Silly.

#2 ErisGuy on 2012-01-04 08:01 (Reply)

"... or be treated in the same way that white supremacists and the segregationist Senators were treated."

So Catholics (and others) are destined to be long-serving Democrat Senators?

#3 JKB on 2012-01-04 08:46 (Reply)

Best Buy has been horrible for decades. Sad that they lasted so long.

"Catholics will have to change their views..." Given the long-time support of the Dem party by Roman Catholics, despite open contradictions to Biblical teachings, I see no suprise that they're being told to compromise.

"Progressives" have always been about power, and will exploit any means to get it. Roman Catholics denied the obvious reality (and their Lord's instructions and warnings), and are starting to see the consequences.

#4 DrTorch on 2012-01-04 09:09 (Reply)

"...change their views..." This is kind of a tough one. I'm a supporter of human rights and that includes the rights of adults to form the relationships they choose. I think that any combination of individuals should be able to register a contract that gives them mutual rights that we grant to spouses at the law. Yes, I'm including plural marriage -- plural marriage is more historical than is gay marriage and it's sanctioned in the Torah.
But no church should be required to offer a religious sanction outside of its bounds. If a mosque requires that at least one of the marriage couple be Muslim and that they be man and woman, that falls under their doctrine and out of my scope. If a Roman Catholic church requires at least one Catholic and exactly one man and one woman, same rule. Unitarians would embrace same-sex marriages by 5 pm if they were ruled legal at 1 pm.
Remember that the laws against same-sex marriage impede some people's religious views as they support other people's views.

#5 Geoff Brown on 2012-01-04 10:00 (Reply)

Not to be snarky, but you posted the link about the Quadrantid meteors four hours AFTER the shower's peak. It would have been more useful yesterday.

#6 Trimegistus on 2012-01-04 12:18 (Reply)

Looks to me like those Romney boys pulled themselves up real high by their bootstraps of course! When do we finally agree that quite often the 3rd, 4th generations of power does not produce the brightest mind! There is only so far they will be able to go without having to be truly able to develop new ideas on their own. My hunch is they are a bunch of little bullies.

#7 apple pie on 2012-01-04 14:49 (Reply)

Howdy apple pie
Families do seem to run out of steam at some point, but on what basis do you imagine the Romney sons are bullies?
I've always found Mormon theology hard to accept but their family values and ethics are those shared by religious people around the world.

#7.1 Geoff Brown on 2012-01-04 16:56 (Reply)

#6 Trimegistus: Hey! This is a free site! What do you want for nuthin', a rubber biscuit?

#8 Talnik on 2012-01-04 14:51 (Reply)

If Best Buy is going bankrupt, they have no one to blame but themselves. CW says that retail stores can't compete with on-line giants like Amazon? Somebody ought to tell that to Apple, whose retail stores are popping up all around the globe. Apparently Apple sees something in retail stores that the pundits don't. Or maybe Apple understands how to market and build its own brand while making the buying experience pleasurable and informative, instead of the damned disappointment that visits to BB have become for its potential customers.

#9 Agent Cooper on 2012-01-04 16:45 (Reply)

I'm a loyal Maggies reader. Have been for years. I'm pretty disappointed that you linked to that hit piece on Stratfor over on American Thinker. That article is disparaging a successful American business that was the victim (along with tens of thousands of their customers) of cyber criminal anarchists. And, American Thinker is praising those criminals for doing us all a favor. Really low class.

#10 Kevin in WI on 2012-01-06 01:18 (Reply)

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Wednesday, January 4. 2012

Weds. morning links