Perception of old musical instruments

Vaiedelich, Stéphane; Fritz, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.culher.2017.02.014

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Musical instruments constitute a specific type of cultural heritage and require special care from experts of various disciplines, such as conservators, restorers and scientists (Vaiedelich and Fritz 2017 ). To study the degradation phenomena of the materials that make up the cultural object turns out to be essential for preserving its unique characteristics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insight on the deterioration of cultural objects: a multi-analytical approach to characterize degradation products of lead weights from a Steinway & sons piano

Faggiano,

Pironti,

Motta

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The identification of the degradation products in objects of cultural significance, including musical instruments (e.g., a piano), is a key issue for the preservation and valorisation processes of cultural heritage. The aim of this study is to characterize the degradation products of lead weights from an important Steinway & sons piano using a multi-analytical approach that includes ionic chromatography (IC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. These techniques allowed us to identify hydrocerussite as the main degradation product on the superficial layer of lead weights, followed by lead acetate and formate. Moreover, accelerated corrosion experiments in closed environments were performed under acetic and formic acid atmospheres to evaluate the development of lead acetate and formate over time. Exposure of lead weights to formic and acetic acid vapours leads to the prevalent formation of basic lead formate, which promotes the formation of hydrocerussite. These results can help to limit the degradation of these piano components and consequently preserve the sound of the piano itself.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insight on the deterioration of cultural objects: a multi-analytical approach to characterize degradation products of lead weights from a Steinway & sons piano

Faggiano,

Pironti,

Motta

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…In appearance, a musical instrument can be seen as a simple object, but it is the product of an era to which it seems sometimes difficult to constrain it. It is indeed common that an instrument, like the guitar, the harpsichord or the grand piano for instance, even after some years of inactivity, is reused in quite different musical ways, showing potentialities that were unexpected at the time of its original conception [16]. Definitively musical instruments can be seen as real cultural heritages, with their history, their peculiarities, and their purposes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the deterioration of lead artifacts. A case study on piano keys and their degradation products

Faggiano

Ricciardi

Pironti

et al. 2022

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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Among musical instruments, Piano is one of the most important and fascinating ones of all years for its completeness from a harmonic point of view and for the importance it has held in the world of classical music of the great composers. In this context, old pianos can be considered as real pieces of art thus their conservation is included in the preservation of cultural heritage. The aim of this work is to study the deterioration of some lead weights of piano keys from an important, luxury and one of the best grand pianos for its characteristics such as construction materials, sound, and craftsmanship. Analytic techniques such as X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy and Ionic chromatography were employed to characterize the superficial layer of deteriorated lead weights, comparing it with the non-deteriorated ones. Knowing the nature of degradation products is fundamental to evaluate the degradation phenomena occurring over time due to the environmental conditions at which they are exposed and consequently identify the proper conservation strategy of such piece of art and history of music, in order to preserve its original sound and resonance.

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“…While the preservation of material authenticity has been discussed in depth by restorers of other instruments (e.g. organs [7]), and many challenges have been identified for heritage instruments more broadly [8], discussion about the conservation and restoration of heritage carillons has been very limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ acoustic analysis of two twentieth-century heritage carillons

Orr

2021

Herit Sci

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Carillons are a diverse and global form of musical and civic heritage: musical instruments comprised of a series of 23 or more bells, typically hung in a tower-like structure, tuned chromatically and played from a touch-sensitive manual and pedal console using an elaborate mechanical action. Carillon bells have a distinct series of musical overtones which should be accurately tuned to one another and with other bells they sound alongside. Although these overtones have been previously studied ex situ, this study assesses the acoustic characteristics of two early-twentieth century carillons in Toronto, Canada as a combination of structure, bells, and mechanical action. Thus, the instrument and its context are considered holistically, more accurately reflecting the musical sensitivity of a carillonist. Spectral analysis of audio samples of each bell at different musical dynamic levels enabled the analysis of the acoustic qualities of the bells and the mechanical action of the instruments. The tuning of bells in the instruments varied; most importantly, there was a significant difference between the audial intensity of the bell tones produced by the instruments, demonstrating the importance of the mechanical action as part of the ‘carillon system’. This was represented with a resistive power-law model, that represents the sensitivity of intensity to carillonist musical dynamic level. A discussion of the implications for artistic and heritage practice follows. Understanding the in situ physical acoustics of the carillon as a holistic instrument in its context informs performers, arrangers, and composers of how they can best embrace the instrument’s unique qualities to improve artistic pursuits and support the appreciation of carillons as heritage instruments and function as civic voices.

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Perception of old musical instruments

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Insight on the deterioration of cultural objects: a multi-analytical approach to characterize degradation products of lead weights from a Steinway & sons piano

Insight on the deterioration of cultural objects: a multi-analytical approach to characterize degradation products of lead weights from a Steinway & sons piano

Investigation on the deterioration of lead artifacts. A case study on piano keys and their degradation products

In situ acoustic analysis of two twentieth-century heritage carillons

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