Felix Savart
1791–1841
Felix SAVART (1791-1841) was a scientist, identified as either a physicist or physician, who made significant contributions to the scientific understanding of violin acoustics. He is renowned for his publication Mémoire sur la construction des instrumens à cordes et à archet (1819) and for his experimental violin designs, including the trapezoidal violin, which he presented to the Académie des Sciences in 1819.
Maker Overview
Life
Felix SAVART (1791-1841) was a significant figure in the scientific study of violin acoustics. Sources contain conflicting information about his primary profession: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies him as an "ausgezeichneter Physiker" (excellent physicist), while John Dilworth describes him as an "Eminent physician and researcher into electricity and magnetism." He devoted considerable time to investigating the laws of acoustics and undertaking valuable research into the violin, for which Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume provided him with precious Italian violins. His studies culminated in the publication of his influential work, Mémoire sur la construction des instrumens à cordes et à archet (1819), which John Dilworth notes as the first significant published work on the theoretical and scientific exploration of the violin.
Characteristics
- Innovation
- In 1819, Felix SAVART presented a violin of trapezoidal form to the Académie des Sciences in Paris. This instrument featured no arch, a conventional soundpost, a central bassbar, and an integral tailpiece.
- Experimental Designs
- He also initiated the construction of violins with cylindrical and quadrangular shapes.
- Acoustic Properties
- Although his experimental instruments were judged to have a clear and even tone, the sound was reported as "subdued" by John Dilworth.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SAVART, Felix Born 1791 Mézières, died 1841 Paris France. Eminent physician and researcher into electricity and magnetism. Also devoted much time to the form and acoustics of the violin. Presented a set of instruments made in trapezoidal form to the Académie des Sciences in 1819. These have no arch, conventional soundpost, central bassbar and integral tailpiece. Although judged clear and even in tone, the sound was reported as ‘subdued’. His Mémoire sur la Construction Des Instrumens [sic] à Cordes et à Archet (Paris, 1819) is the first significant published work on the theoretical and scientific exploration of the violin.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein ausgezeichneter Physiker, der sich viel mit den Gesetzen der Akustik beschäftigte und werthvolle Untersuchungen der Geige vornahm, wozu ihm Vuillaume die kostbarsten italienischen Geigen zur Verfügung stellte. Eine Frucht seiner Studien ist: »Mémoire sur la construction des instrumens à cordes et à archet« (1819). Schliesslich erfand er auch eine Geige in der Form eines Trapezoids, die er 1819 der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Paris vorlegte und veranlasste auch den Bau einer Geige von cylindrischer und einer von vierkantiger Gestalt. Beispiele davon finden sich sowohl aus der Sammlung Snoeck in Berlin als auch im Museum des Pariser Conservatoriums. Wenn diese Versuche auch wenig Erfolg haben konnten, so hat er sich doch durch seine wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten um das Geigenmachen verdient gemacht.
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