Editor’s note: In our last issue Charles Beare introduced the world to Micky White’s exciting research on Vivaldi and the Hospedale della Pietà in Venice, which Vivaldi led for a time. When Micky White heard how enthusiastically our readers responded, she quickly agreed to give us more, and Soundpost Online sincerely thanks her for this […]
Assessing Tone Wood Using the Lucchi Meter
Winter
Francois Xavier Tourte and Dominique Pecatte never used a Lucchi meter. In fact it was not until the late 20th Century that the first Lucchi meter was developed. Today however, the Lucchi meter has become so ubiquitous that the pricing of bow blanks is directly tied into the Lucchi meter reading. So what is this […]
Dendochronology and the Messiah Stradivarius An Interview with Henri D. Grissino-Mayer
FallAt the recently concluded 2001 meeting of the Violin Society of America, Professor Henri D. Grissino-Mayer presented the results of his dendrochronological analysis of the Messiah Strad. For those who could not attend he has kindly given us this summation of his science and his findings. Professor Grissino-Mayer introduces himself: I’m an Assistant Professor in […]
Tree Ring Circus The "Messiah" Controversy Rages On
FallAs the legend goes, this most perfectly preserved example of Antonio Stradivari’s output was retained by the master until his death in 1737. Purportedly the violin remained in the Stradivari estate until it was sold along with other instruments and numerous Stradivari workshop relics in 1775 by Paolo Stradivari, the last surviving son of Antonio […]