[In-Depth Look] Stradivarius and Artisan Spirit

The small city of Cremona in northern Italy is the birthplace of the violin. Around the 16th century, the Amati family of Cremona and others improved the medieval string instrument called the fiddle to create the modern violin. Thanks to this, Cremona became a leader in Renaissance music centered on chamber music. Additionally, the fact that the Bishop of Cremona ascended to the papacy as Pope Gregory XIV in 1590 also contributed to making Cremona the center of string instruments.

From the 17th century, as the importance of solo instruments increased, craftsmen created famous violins such as Guarneri, Guadagnini, and Stradivarius, establishing the Cremona region as a premier producer of fine string instruments. Since then, workshops have continued the tradition of making instruments entirely by hand, sometimes competing and sometimes cooperating. Among them, Stradivarius became synonymous with the violin due to its superior tone quality.

Amid the gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic, hopeful news is emerging. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised the global economic growth rate for this year upward to 6.0%. It forecasted that South Korea would record a lower growth rate of 3.6%. While major countries experienced significant negative growth, our growth rate last year was only -1.1%, which is interpreted as a relatively modest rebound.

However, there are also voices of concern. According to an analysis by McKinsey Consulting, it will take more than two years for the pandemic to subside. Positive factors include △vaccine efficacy △acceleration of vaccinations △approval of new vaccines △acceleration of treatment development, but negative factors include △many new patients △spread of variants △concerns about reinfection.

As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, people are realizing the importance of borders. Seeing how a virus outbreak in one country immediately spreads to neighboring countries has made us aware that the world is connected as one. Likewise, our economy cannot be free from the global increase in debt and inflation. Moreover, changes in global supply chains, strengthening of ESG investments, expansion of the contactless economy, and soaring real estate prices are creating new inter-class polarization and acting as sources of conflict.

In response to these global trends, we must create sustainable economic policies. How should we formulate economic policies amid the COVID-19 crisis? The answer can be found in the secret of the ‘heavenly sound’ produced by Stradivarius. Researchers say it is due to the instrument’s structure, the use of natural adhesives, and the varnish applied to the instrument. Another analysis suggests it is because the front soundboard (tabla armonioca) was made from spruce trees grown in cold regions with dense growth rings.

There are various claims, but it cannot be explained by one or two reasons alone. What is important is to find it in the sublime craftsmanship of the master Antonio Stradivari (1644?1737), who harmoniously connected 70 pieces of wood that make up the violin. To overcome the crisis we face due to COVID-19, we cannot find answers through one or two causes and analyses. Ultimately, we must create harmonious policies that solve our difficulties through the connection of the public, private, and government sectors and cooperation among economic players.

Kim Young-woo, Research Fellow, Institute for Shared Growth

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.