Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

The Secret of the Strad's Superiority

Scientist find mellow tone is in the wood

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2008 11:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Stradivarius violins—300 years old and valued at least $3 million each—are universally recognized as producing the richest sounds. Now, the Daily Telegraph reports, scientists believe they know why. X-rays of several old and new instruments show the wood used by 17th-century violin makers... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Telegraph (UK) (Source Grid »)

Solved: the mystery of why Stradivarius violins are best
Independent (UK)

Layers in a Stradivarius
Science News

World • Lifestyle • Technology

Stradivari • violin • CT scanner • Stradivarius violin • Cremona • Guarneri del Gesu • Dr Berend Stoel • Leiden University Medical Center

More Newser Stories

Stradivarius Market Hits High Note

Rush for 300-year-old violins sparks intrigue, drives price to millions

(NEWSER) - The price of violins by 18th century Italian master Antonio Stradivari has shot through the roof in recent decades, with the instruments now worth 500 times their weight in gold, reports Der Spiegel. Three powerful dealers control a shadowy worldwide market rife with intrigue where frenzied collectors seek out the rare instruments that sell for millions. More»

Stradivarius' Powers Just a Musical Myth

Researchers show that even pro musicians can't tell the difference

(NEWSER) - They’re famed far and wide as the finest violins on the planet (one recently sold for $16 million) , but do Stradivarius violins actually sound better? A study suggests they don’t, NPR reports. Researchers assembled a group of six violins—two Stradivariuses, a Guarneri, and three modern violins—and invited a group of professional violinists to try them out while wearing dark goggles that prevented them from visually identifying the instruments. They were told at least one was a Strad, and asked to guess which. More»

Stradivarius Violin Sells for $16M

Violin built in 1721 has hardly been played

(AP) - A Japanese music foundation has sold a renowned Stradivarius violin for $16 million at a London auction to raise money for tsunami disaster relief. Proceeds from selling the nearly 300-year-old violin known as the Lady Blunt will go to relief projects in northern Japan, the nonprofit Nippon Foundation said today. The group's music affiliate owned the violin, which was made in 1721 and hardly used. The new owner was not identified. (Click to read about a literally massive cleanup effort that has just begun.) More»

$1.9M Stradivarius Stolen at Sandwich Shop

Two pricey bows were also in the case

(USER SUBMITTED) - A quick pit stop at a London sandwich shop turned into disaster for a musician when her $1.9 million antique Stradivarius violin was stolen last Monday, Reuters reports. Also in her case were two rare and expensive bows valued at $98,000 and $8,000, respectively. The 314-year-old violin is insured, and the rarity of it would make it difficult to resell, notes a detective investigating the theft. More»

'Beckham of Classical Music' Is Hit on Charts, With Ladies

David Garrett loves Metallica, sets world records

(NEWSER) - He covers Michael Jackson songs, and considers Mozart and Metallica equally influential—David Garrett is not your average classically trained violinist, but perhaps that’s why his self-titled debut has sat atop the classical crossover charts for three weeks. The German-born 28-year-old—who modeled on the side during his time at Juilliard—has been called the “David Beckham of classical music,” CNN reports—and he’s fast, too. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

The Secret of the Strad's Superiority

Scientist find mellow tone is in the wood

Stradivari • violin • CT scanner • Stradivarius violin • Cremona • Guarneri del Gesu • Dr Berend Stoel • Leiden University Medical Center

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Stradivarius Market Hits High Note

Rush for 300-year-old violins sparks intrigue, drives price to millions

Stradivarius' Powers Just a Musical Myth

Researchers show that even pro musicians can't tell the difference

Stradivarius Violin Sells for $16M

Violin built in 1721 has hardly been played

$1.9M Stradivarius Stolen at Sandwich Shop

Two pricey bows were also in the case

'Beckham of Classical Music' Is Hit on Charts, With Ladies

David Garrett loves Metallica, sets world records

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?