Last weekend, French experts performed an X-ray examination of a violin created in the 18th century and later played by virtuoso Niccolo Paganini. The instrument, worth millions of dollars, was subjected to such procedures, among other things, so that scientists could create a 3D model of it.
Experts said they hoped to discover the secrets of the sound of unique violins.
Niccolo Paganini is a famous Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, virtuoso and composer who, in the 19th century, performed throughout Europe, also in Poland – his stay in Poznań and Warsaw was documented. Paganini’s playing technique remains a great mystery to this day, and many hypotheses have been created around it, including even a legend about the virtuoso’s dealings with the devil.
Doctors found that Paganini had a concave clavicle and hyperdevelopment of his fingers, which were supposed to help him operate the instrument better. Among the hypotheses, there are also those that talk about a different structure of his hands, a special bowing, a unique tuning of the violin, etc. Nowadays, there is also a theory that Paganini suffered from Marfan’s syndrome, a genetic disease whose symptoms include, among others, . unusually long fingers and excessive joint mobility.
Regardless of what is the reason for the famous virtuoso’s unique playing technique, an important element of his playing was his favorite violin. The instrument called “Il Cannone” (the cannon) was famous for its extremely deep sound, which is why it received this name. The violin has survived in excellent condition to this day and is considered a national treasure of Italy. Scientists decided to use an unusual instrument and investigate its secrets, as well as create a model that would allow for better conservation of the monument.
Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, one of the world’s largest centers using synchrotron radiation for research, irradiated Paganini’s violin. Approximately 8 thousand per year scientists visit this particle accelerator, carrying out over 2,000 experiments, on the basis of which thousands of scientific publications are then created. The ESRF synchrotron mainly uses X-rays, and experts use it for a variety of research.
The idea with Paganini’s violin is to create a three-dimensional model of the instrument that can then be enlarged to an accuracy of a micron (one thousandth of a millimeter).
“The first goal is conservation,” said Paul Tafforeau of the ESRF. – If any defects ever need to be repaired, we will have all the details – explained the scientist.
However, this is not the only reason for experts’ procedures.
This non-invasive analysis of the instrument is also intended to help shed light on the mystery of the instrument’s unusual sound.
– This is an exceptional instrument in terms of sound quality. With this data, we hope to better understand why this is so, Tafforeau said, adding that working with this instrument is like a dream.
Luigi Paolasini, who was responsible for the violin study project at the ESRF, said the instrument was insured for $32 million for the journey from Genoa to Grenoble.
“The logistics were very complicated because we are not a museum that has experience in moving works of art,” Paolasini said.
Regardless of the outcome of the analysis, which is expected to take many more months, the instrument must be treated appropriately. The guiding rule in any work on the instrument is to “exercise extreme caution or refrain from any action at all,” said Alberto Giordano, curator of valuable instruments in Genoa.
Perhaps thanks to the idea of scientists from Grenoble, the mystery of Paganini’s unusual technique and the beautiful sound of his favorite violin will finally be solved.
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2024-03-17 08:32:59
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