Does violin really need playing to open up?

Michele

Want to discuss something on the physical and metaphysical side, perhaps even psychological and emotional, who knows!

Some maintain that violin needs to be played in order to maintain its acoustics properties.  That new violins need to go through some rituals in that regard.

Others, often famous ones holding famous dead ones' violin and claim they feel the previous owner left his sound on the violin.

Love to hear what you feel about it, your experience and if you have, any studies that actually look into this topic.

Personally, I don't know enough to say either way.  I do notice humidity plays a big factor in changing the sound but that is off topic.