Caption: This printer’s mark shows three putti holding a harp and a compass, combining the measure and tone of music with the precision of mathematics. Title page detail from Francesco Algarotti's Dialoghi sopra la luce, i colori e l'attrazione... , Credit: Image courtesy of the Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library, Othmer Library of Chemical History, Chemical Heritage Foundation.
Image by: Image courtesy of the Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library, Othmer Library of Chemical History, Chemical Heritage Foundation. 
This printer’s mark shows three putti holding a harp and a compass, combining the measure and tone of music with the precision of mathematics. Title page detail from Francesco Algarotti's Dialoghi sopra la luce, i colori e l'attrazione...  

Distillations Episode 136: Good Vibrations - A Symphony of Science

Series: Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Length: 00:17:14

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On this episode of Distillations we investigate if there's science behind the sweet sounds of a Stradivari violin and learn how chemistry influences the work of sound artist Susan Alexjander. Read the full description.

Asset_upload_file148_74702_thumbnail_small 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.

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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.

Related Website

http://www.chemheritage.org/distillations