The sound of fungus

Improving the tonal quality of wood may allow modern instrument makers to match the legendary quality of violin master Antonio Stradivari. IT IS THE dream of every young violinist to play on a Stradivarius, but for the vast majority that remains an unfulfilled fantasy. The price tag for a Stradivarius starts at about a quarter of a million pounds, making it unaffordable to all but a privileged few.