Von der Alp auf die Geige - Musiksaiten aus Schafdarm hergestellt wie im19. Jh.

In the context of historically informed performance practice, music of the 19th and early 20th centuries is increasingly being performed again on gut strings.

Factsheet

  • Lead school Bern Academy of the Arts
  • Additional schools School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences
  • Institute(s) Institute Interpretation
  • Research unit(s) Performance and interpretation
  • Funding organisation BFH
  • Duration 01.02.2014 - 31.10.2015
  • Project management Prof. Dr. Kai Köpp
  • Head of project Prof. Dr. Kai Köpp
    Prof. Dr. Samuel Kohler
  • Project staff Jane Achtman
    David Sinclair
    Dr. Danja Wiederkehr
  • Partner Nicholas Baldock, Musikalienhändler & Saitenhersteller
    EFRANO Musiksaiten Technische Darmsaiten
    Musikinstrumenten-Museum Markneukirchen
    Vogtländisches Freilichtmuseum Landwüst

Situation

However, most gut strings in use today are produced using methods from the second half of the 20th century. In this project, the research team will use written and oral sources to document both the qualitative criteria applied to sheep gut when making instrument strings, and the historical production methods employed in Saxony towards the close of the 19th century. Contemporary string makers will produce strings according to the documented methods. The resulting strings will be examined empirically by string players on the BUA staff. The aim of the research project is to acquire new insights into the sound, attack and stability of historical strings.

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 12: Responsible consumption and production