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Small violas: does size matter?

2025-08-29T08:28:14.953

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Luthiers Bas Maas and Francesco Piasentini report on a series of experiments in Villefavard, France, seeking to discover conclusively whether small violas can produce sound as ‘big’ as larger models

For the past ten years, a workshop for violin makers and acousticians has taken place annually at Villefavard in central France. Organised by Claudia Fritz and Paul Noulet, it brings together luthiers and scientists from across Europe to share their knowledge, with the goal of integrating mechanical and acoustic research into workshop practice…

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