LANDSCAPE Research and Development Chemical analysis reveals the hidden secrets of Stradivari violins NTU researchers identified unique properties in the wood of famous antique instruments joins are one of the most tionally depicted human blood of wood fibers, Stradivari’s chem- enduring mysteries of Eu- as the secret varnish ingredient ical treatments were completely fopean culture. Antonio Stradivari After decades of scientific inves- unknown to later European instru (1644-1737), Latinized as “Sttad- tigations into Stradvar'’s varnish ment makers, whose standard ivarius’ and abbreviated ‘Stra, composition, there is little evi- practice was to make instruments has become synonymous with dence to suggest that Stradivaris out of air-dried wood superlative violins. What gives his formulation carried extraordinary violins such unique tonal qualities acoustical properties, although its Third, maple from Stradivari has been a matter of heated de- visual beauty femains unmatched. violins and cellos showed remark- bate over the past two centuries, Instead, the violin world has grad- able differences in their molecular ually turned its attention to the architectures. When wood sam- The legend of Stradivari began unique properties of the wood of ples were gradually heated to 600 in Cremona, a small Italian town Stradivari wolins (2) °C, there was an extra peak in that witnessed the invention of the the heat release curve of Stradi modern violin almost 00 years With the assistance of intema- vari violins, which was absent in ago. Most experts agree that the tional violin experts and Chimei the curves of Stradivan cello and excellence of Stradivari violins Museum, which owns the world's natural maple samples. The extra femains unsurpassed and that largest collection of antique iain peak suggested reduced molec- Stradivari possessed certain ‘lost violins, Professor Tai acquired ular adhesion between the cellu- secrets" However, there are cif. maple specimens from four Strad lose and lignin in the wood, likely ferent opinions about the nature of instruments, Nuclear magnetic caused by the high frequency vi- these secrets. By collecting waod resonance spectroscopy revealed _brations created while playing the shavings from Stradivari violins that Stradivari’s maple exhibit- violin uring restorations and subjecting ed hemicellulose degradation; them to modern chemical analy- approximately one-third of the Hence, the chemical distine- ses, a team of three NTU chem- hemicellulose had degraded in tons between Stradivari's maple istry professors, Hwan-Ching Tai, the past 300 years. Hemicel- (jn its current state) compared to Jerry Chun Chung Chen, and lulose is the most hygroscopic modern maple can be attributed Hao Ming Chen, nas demonstrat. fiber component in wood, and to three factors: initial chemical ed that the maple wood used by _ its degradation leads to reduced treatment, age-dependent cherni- Stradivari has different chemical moisture absorption and reduced cal decomposttion, and rmolecular Properties than the maple used to internal damping, allowing the rearrangement due to long-term makemodem violins. Their recent wood to vibrate more freely. Seo- vibrations. Professor Ta's find- study [1] was picked up by over ond, elemental analyses showed ings may help explain why it has 100 international media outlets, tht Stradivari's maple appeared been so difficult to reproduce the including The New York Times, to have been infused with salts acoustic properties of Stradivari The Washington Post, The Times. of sodium, potassium, and cal- violins using modem wood. and Yomiuri Shimbun. cium, as well as alum, borax, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate Previously, many experts re- A combination of these minerals garded the lost vamish recipe as was probably used for "salt sea- Stradivari's grand secret. This soning” and biocidal protection notion was made popular by the against fungi and worms and may T= secrets of Stradivari movie The Red Violin, which fic- promote the chemical crosslinking 35nu NATUR) JENCES AND ENGINEERING between Stradivari's maple and Stradivari and Guameri, Nature 444, modern tonewood. Proceedings of 565, DOI:10.1038/444565a References the National Academy of Sciences of 1, Hwan-Ching Tal, Guo-Chian the United States of America (PNAS). Associate Professor Li, Shing-Jong Huang, Chang- 114(1), 27-32. DOI: 10.1073/pnas. _ Hwan-Ching Tai Ruel Jhu, Jen-Hsuan Chung, Bo 1611259114, Department of Chemistry Y. Wang, Chia-Shuo Hsu, Brigitte hetai@ntu edu. Brandmair, Dal-Ting Chung, Hao 2. Joseph Nagyvary, Joseph A. ‘Ming Chen, and Jerry Chun Chung DiVerdi, Noel L. Owen and H Chan, (2017). Chemical distinctions Dennis Tolley, (2006). Wood used by — rote nape Shasta bok 707 <= Stack 1734 Sted ven book 717 Shad va neck 1725 chemical treatment inal tate current state heat released ale A torn ~ temas temperature (C) Figure 2. Wood heat release curves of Figure 3. The effects of chemical treatment and aging on ‘Stradivari violins difer from those of Stradivari Stradivar’s wood. calls. 36