Distillations Episode 136: Good Vibrations - A Symphony of Science
Series: Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Length: 00:17:14
Lend us your ears! In this episode, Distillations offers front-row seats to learn more about two very different musicians whose work is frequently analyzed through the lens of science. First, we chime in on the long-standing debate over what makes Stradivari violins sound superior to all others made before and since. Then we learn how the elements serve as muse for sound artist Susan Alexjander, whose work is featured in the exhibit Elemental Matters.
Also in the Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast series
Distillations Episode 147: Babies
(00:13:43)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Big eyes, soft skin, squeezable cheeks. No doubt, babies are adorable. But in this episode we take a break from our cooing to examine some more serious aspects of parenthood. ...
Distillations Episode 146: Something in the Air
(00:14:22)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose? We all know what that means: allergies. On this show we look at pet dander, a common cause. Then we talk to a researcher dissecting the ...
Distillations Episode 145: Asbestos
(00:14:03)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Asbestos, once a miracle product, is now a plague on the aging infrastructure to which it's bound. In this episode we explore a Pennsylvania town where a wide swath of ...
Distillations Episode 144: Mystery of Mass (Spec)
(00:13:18)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
In this episode we look at the diverse history of mass spectrometry, starting with a single question: exactly what is it? Then we dip into CHF's oral history collection to ...
Distillations Episode 143: Fairyland of Chemistry
(00:09:56)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
In this episode we travel back in time to the Victorian era, when innovative teachers used fairies to convey complicated ideas in chemistry. We adapted one of these whimsical ...
Distillations Episode 142: Mid-century Mutants
(00:14:40)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
On today's show we look at the real and imagined implications of genetic modification in the middle of the 20th century.
Distillations Episode 141: Disaster Recovery
(00:13:42)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
On this episode we look at how environments recover after natural and manmade disasters. First, we hear about how ecosystems repair themselves after hurricanes. Then we see ...
Distillations Episode 140: Swapping Spit
(00:12:41)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Pucker up! On this episode we investigate the kiss. First, what's in the saliva we share with each other? Then we interview Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of ...
Distillations Episode 139: The Brain on Sports
(00:11:37)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
On this episode of Distillations we look at the science of sports. First, we learn how athletes go the distance, chemically speaking. Then we look into the brain of a fan. ...
Distillations Episode 138: Your Genome
(00:13:29)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
On this episode of Distillations we go straight to the source ... your DNA. First, we learn how technological advances are putting the dream of a $1,000 genome within reach. ...
Piece Description
Lend us your ears! In this episode, Distillations offers front-row seats to learn more about two very different musicians whose work is frequently analyzed through the lens of science. First, we chime in on the long-standing debate over what makes Stradivari violins sound superior to all others made before and since. Then we learn how the elements serve as muse for sound artist Susan Alexjander, whose work is featured in the exhibit Elemental Matters.
Broadcast History
Podcast on December 9, 2011
Timing and Cues
0:00 Opening Credits
0:33 Introduction
1:18 Strad Secrets?
8:13 Interview: Susan Alexjander
16:41 Closing Credits
Additional Credits
Music in this show featured “Sequencia” and “Elements as Tone” by Susan Alexjander and “Le Petit Jardin” by Lee Maddeford. The recordings of Stradivari violins came from instruments played by Eric Grossman and Itzhak Perlman. Special thanks to Mia Lobel for researching this episode, and to the Free Music Archive, an open source for free and legal music and audio downloads.
