Das Rätsel um den Bassanhang

Untersuchung des Salterios MI 249 im Germanischen Nationalmuseum und Rekonstruktion des Besaitungskonzeptes

Abstract

The Puzzle of the Bass Hitch – Examination of the Salterio MI 249 in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum and Reconstruction of its Stringing Concept
The author examined a salterio by Antonio Battaglia, decorated with carved and gilded frames and mirrors, within the scope of her master thesis; the instrument is kept in the storage of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nuremberg. The salterio is unique in that it has a raised bass hithpinrail, the design of which poses a number of questions. This feature was shown to be a later addition, using CT and X-ray images as well as an analysis of its paint layer also by comparison with other instruments by Battaglia. Furthermore, five different constructional stages were identified. The present stringing is useless with regard to possible playing, therefore two different concepts for reconstructing the originally intended tuning were developed.