Instrument replication – just making copies... or more?

Currently a PhD-project (Ghent University, 2015-2020) is undertaken by Geerten Verberkmoes to investigate the life, instruments and working methods of the stringed instrument maker Benoit-Joseph Boussu, who was mainly active around and in Brussels in the period c1751-c1762. The project was initiated to obtain further biographical information on Boussu, but more importantly, because the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels preserves a violin (MIM2781) and cello (MIM1372) by this maker which are both still in fully original late-Baroque configuration. Finding bowed string instruments of this age in such untouched state is extremely rare, since the vast majority of them has been modernised in the past. However, the two original instruments of the museum are not allowed to be tuned to pitch nor played, preventing assessment of their playability and sound characteristics. Making precise replicas could overcome these restrictions, and that is exactly what is being done as part of the present study. In a larger scope, such replication process could function as a catalyst for a multi-disciplinary research project. As a first step, the two original instruments were extensively documented, using digital image capturing techniques such as CT-scanning and digital endoscopy, and based on these results, a cello replica and two violin replicas were constructed. The replication process also functioned as a form of ‘workbench research’, testing specific making techniques proposed for Boussu. Subsequently, the musical and sonic possibilities of the replicas are studied through the performance, by newly formed ‘Ensemble Boussu’, of closely related - albeit largely forgotten – trio sonata repertoire written by mid-eighteenth century Brussels court composers. Various public concerts have been organised. The presentation includes a short video fragment of such performance. The paper will demonstrate the pivotal role of instrument replication, in generating interlocking knowledge in the fields of organology, biography, instrument making and musical performance practice.

Publication year:2020

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