When the fungi have done their work, Dr Schwarze treats the planks with a gas that kills the infection.

ECONOMIST: Violin-making

Workplace -- until 1989 that meant the "Schwarze Pumpe" (Black Pump) in Hoyerswerda.

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Readers may therefore exercise their own judgments by listening to the audio files below, and decide whether, in their opinion, Dr Schwarze has cracked a problem that has defeated instrument-makers for 300 years: matching, or even beating, the Master of Cremona.

ECONOMIST: Violin-making