The legendary sound of Stradivarius violins is linked to wood grown during a 'Little Ice Age.'

The superior acoustic properties of Stradivarius instruments are often attributed to the Maunder Minimum, a 70-year period of reduced solar activity from 1645 to 1715. During this time, temperatures across Europe dropped significantly, leading to shorter growing seasons and slower tree growth. Dendrochronologists Henri Grissino-Mayer and Lloyd Burckle published a study in 2003 explaining how this cooling affected the Norway spruce used for violin bellies.The slow growth resulted in wood with extremely narrow and uniform annual rings. This high density and structural consistency allow sound waves to travel more efficiently through the material. Modern trees grow faster due to warmer climates, which creates wider rings and less consistent density between the earlywood and latewood. This difference significantly impacts the vibration and tonal quality of the finished instrument.Antonio Stradivari, who worked in Cremona, Italy, from 1665 to 1737, unknowingly benefited from this climatic anomaly. While other factors like varnish composition and chemical treatments with borax or zinc are also studied, the unique cellular structure of the 'Little Ice Age' wood remains a primary scientific explanation for the 'Stradivarius sound.' Experts estimate that only about 650 of his original instruments survive today, making them some of the most valuable objects in the world.