Speaker
Dr
David Mannes
(Paul Scherrer Institut)
Description
Musical instruments represent a multifaceted and rather delicate section in cultural heritage objects. They can consist of simple piece of wood with holes or represent a complex mechanical apparatus made of a wide combination of materials. Beside the preservation of the physical integrity of musical instruments the preservation of the sound is a very important topic, as it represents a unique feature of every historical instrument. Non-destructive investigations, such as neutron imaging help to handle these manifold issues, by providing information on the construction material composition and condition of the musical instruments. Neutron imaging proves to be an important tool for such investigation as many instruments consist of a mixture of metallic and organic materials. It allows beside the simple documentation of the instrument’s shape to investigate small amounts of hydrogen-containing materials (e.g. corroded areas on the inside of the instruments, wax, laquer, moisture, …).
In our presentation, we give an overview on different projects which have been carried out at the neutron imaging facilities of the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in Villigen (Switzerland). Some of the presented projects aim at a better understanding of the construction, shape and dimensions of certain historical instruments, comprising wooden instruments as well as brass wind instruments in order to allow for accurate copies of the instruments, which could be played again. Another project aims at the playability of historical brass wind instruments and the impact on the instruments condition i.e. internal corrosion. Historical instruments were played during a period of one year and the condition of the instruments, with special focus on the development of corroded areas, was monitored by means of neutron imaging, carrying out tomography scans at the beginning and the end of the project.
With the before mentioned projects and additional case studies, we will show the possibilities and limitations of neutron imaging in the area of investigations of historical musical instruments.
Primary author
Dr
David Mannes
(Paul Scherrer Institut)
Co-author
Dr
EBERHARD Lehmann
(Paul Scherrer Institut)
