This book can be viewed in many ways as it explores the interdisciplinarity of research in violin engineering and art, being a valuable reference for readers interested in the acoustics of violins and in the science of materials used for making them. In this book, the wood science, the chemistry of varnish, the art and technology of violin making by luthiers and organologic context of violins, are put together giving a holistic view of the subject and complementing the large literature which exists on this instrument.

The book is addressed to teachers, researchers, makers of musical instruments and artists alike, this being a good premise for understanding the complexity of the interdisciplinary phenomena that musical instruments involve. This book is based on the material most of which was accumulated during the period 2019-2024, within the ACADIA (61PCE/2022) and MINOVIS (568PED/2020) projects, financial supported by The Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation from Romania (UEFISCDI).

Shows interdisciplinary approach Covers many topics of violin construction Demonstrates the complex nature of the field

Autorentext

Prof. dr. Mariana Domnica STANCIU is specialist in knowledge of dynamic behavior of complex Helmholtz-type structures like strings musical instruments. Based on the collaboration with the musical instrument factories from Reghin, Romania, within the four coordinated scientific research projects, she managed, together with the research team, to form a research pole in this field in Romania She obtained the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering in 2009, from Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania and she is doctoral supervisor since 2023, in the field of mechanical engineering.

Prof. dr. Voichita BUCUR has expertise in wood science; ultrasound, mechanical characterization of materials, nondestructive testing of wood, wood products, wood based composites, trees, materials for musical instruments. She is the author of numerous books in the field of musical instruments. During last years, she was awarded numerous prizes: 2021 Medal RWB Stephens, Medal of the Institute of Acoustics UK for outstanding contributions to acoustics research or education; 2019 - Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science; 2007 - Distinguished Services Award for outstanding research contributions on acoustics and its application to nondestructive testing of wood -Forest Products Laboratory US; 2004 Silver Medal Société d'encouragement au progrès Paris, France.

Inhalt

Part 1 WOOD.- 1. Tone wood as a resource of Romanian Carpathians forests; - 2. Quality classes of blanks for violins and some relevant physical parameters of wood.- 3. Mechanical characterization of spruce resonance wood and curly maple for violins.- Part II VARNISH.- 4. From the chemistry of the Renaissance to the renaissance of violin making.- 5. Effect of varnishing on the surface morphology of tonewood for violins.- 6. Effects of violin varnish on some physical, mechanical and acoustical properties of resonance spruce and curly maple samples.- Part III VIOLIN MANUFACTURIG AND QUALITY CONTROL.- 7. Violin manufacturing technology.- 8. Acoustic analysis of violins.- Part IV VIOLIN IN ORGANOLOGIC CONTEXT.- 9. The Epic of the Violin.- 10. The Violin in Romanian Folk Music.- 11. Vioda family of bowed string instruments invented by Professor Ion Delu.