MUSICAL WOOD, From Trees to Instruments This exhibit is no longer on display but stay tuned for an eventual virtual presentation. An exhibition at the Tree House of the Montréal Botanical Garden From November 25, 1999 to February 4, 2001, the Tree House at the Montréal Botanical Garden will be making beautiful sounds with its new exhibition, Musical Wood. Wood has a huge variety of uses, of course, but none more subtle and complex than as a music-maker. Not just any tree is worthy of a musical career! Many species are called, but few are chosen. Musical Wood invites you to meet some uncontested musical stars, and to see how white spruce and sugar maple are transformed into timeless treasures in the talented hands of luthiers. How do they know which trees will make good "singers"? The acoustic properties of wood depend on its density, strength and elasticity, and a tree must excel in all categories if it is to be selected. Many tropical species are used in lutherie, but Québec boasts some of the world's best musical wood. This new exhibition leads you from the forest into the sawmill and the instrument-maker's workshop, and right up to the musician's hands. You'll feel as though you're witnessing the whole process, as the tree is gradually transformed into an instrument. Five artisans (Yves Beaupré, Jean-Luc Boudreau, Linda Manzer, Mario Lamarre and Daniel Thonon) reveal their secrets, through behind-the-scenes glimpses of their workshops, where they craft harpsichords, recorders, guitars, violins and hurdy-gurdies. Each one has his or her own special techniques and tools. But all of them are aiming for the same goal: the perfect instrument, the ideal sound, something that will delight musician and audience alike. Have you ever plucked or stroked a violin string? Tapped different sorts of wood and listened to their different voices? Heard a hurdy-gurdy? This is your chance! Some exhibition pieces are available for visitors to try out. Can you make them sing? Tree House of the Montréal Botanical Garden Entrance via Rosemont Boulevard (at 29th Avenue) Free admission in winter, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General information: 514 872-1400 | MENU | ABOUT THE GARDEN | GARDENS AND GREENHOUSES | PLANTS AND COLLECTIONS | | EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES | SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES | HORTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES | LIBRARY | | SITE MAP | SEARCH | MAILBOX | Last updated : 2007 09 08 Credits All rights reserved Ville de Montréal