EarlyMusicNews.org

Visit the music museum of Barcelona to see its collection of early music instruments. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2009 | Hits: 995

"Home to the famous Jean de Boizard organ (1714) the Saint-Michel abbey has welcomed for the last several years, the most sought after artists of ancient music. The music coproduced by radio France MUSIQUE with the choreographic collection called TEMPERAMENTS, confirms the baroque destiny of the abbey in harmony with the site. The ancient and baroque music festival The festival has its roots in the restoration of the prestigious historical organ (1714) of the abbey church and the artistic activity that followed as a result since1984. The festival was started in 1987 with the important decision by Radio France and the Conseil General of the Aisne departement : Every Whit Monday the train of FRANCE MUSIQUE radio would, for a whole day of music, take several hundred Parisian music lovers to attend two concerts transmitted live on radio. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 867

"Hatchlands, a property of the National Trust, stands in a handsome, wooded park, landscaped by Humphrey Repton, and is just 23 miles from London. Splendid rooms designed c. 1758 by Robert Adam are furnished with the Cobbe Collection of Old Master paintings and composer instruments.

Alec Cobbe formed the collection of some 50 historic keyboard instruments during the last forty years, his purpose being to assemble instruments by makers who were highly regarded or patronised by composers. Eighteen of the instruments were actually owned or played by some of the greatest creators of classical music, such as Henry Purcell, Johann Christian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Fryderik Chopin, Franz Liszt, Georges Bizet, Gustav Mahler and Edward Elgar - the largest group of such composer-related instruments to be seen in one place anywhere in the world.

The instruments are maintained in playing condition and are used for concerts. In 1997 they were given to the Cobbe Collection Trust, a charity which aims to enable musicians and audiences to hear music sounding as nearly as possible to what the composers themselves would have heard."

Added on: Feb 02, 2008 | Hits: 796

"Orpheon wishes to open your eyes and ears to the marvelous world of string instruments of the Renaissance, the Baroque and the Classical Periods. The collection now contains over 170 instruments (viola da gamba, viola d'amore, violin, viola, violoncello, violone, baryton) and historical bows dating mostly from 1560 to 1780, all restored to their original playing conditions and placed at the disposal of members of the Orpheon Orchestra, Orpheon Consort, and professional musicians and university students from all over Europe for concerts, recordings, contests and study purposes. Its owner, Prof. José Vázquez of the University for Music and the Performing Arts Vienna holds that it is the living acoustical heritage - the sounds that these instruments produce for those living today - that interests us, and not their mere decorative flair as objets trouvés from aristocratic residences of our distant past. We wish to hear what these instruments have to say and we wish to learn from them about the manner of performance of their musical heritage from the Renaissance, the Baroque and the Classical Periods. "

Associated Sites:
Facebook: Orpheon Foundation Facebook

Tags: France-Orpheon

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 794

“Pianosromantiques is dedicated to French grand pianos built before 1850, particularly those of the great firms Boisselot, Erard, Pape and Pleyel. The idea is to create a photo database of the instruments disseminated in different private or public collections around the world, with a brief history of  their makers. I hope this virtual museum will contribute to the appreciation of these rather neglected instruments (compared for example to the Viennese pianos), that a lot of pianists have never had a chance to play because of the scarcity of well-restored examples. The admiration that composers such as Liszt (Erard and Boisselot), Mendelssohn (Erard) or Chopin (Pleyel) expressed towards their French pianos should be motivation enough to rediscover these instruments, whose touch and sound shed fascinating light on the romantic music composed on and for them. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 01, 2009 | Hits: 783

The purpose of the Frederick Piano Collection is to give musicians and music lovers a chance to hear works by major piano composers, played on pianos such as those the composers knew, and for which their music was conceived. The Collection includes only grand pianos, by important makers whose instruments were highly regarded in their day, acquired in basically good condition, with most of their original materials intact (especially soundboards). It aims to match each instrument to a specific composer or generation of composers known to have used or preferred that make and vintage of piano. The period of pianos in the Collection extends from about 1790 to 1907, representing music from Haydn and Beethoven through the French Impressionists. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 763

"REED is an international scholarly project that is establishing for the first time the broad context from which the great drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries grew. REED examines the historical MSS that provide external evidence of drama, secular music, and other communal entertainment and ceremony from the Middle Ages until 1642, when the Puritans closed the London theatres. Although the project is based at Victoria University in the University of Toronto (an institution renowned for its scholarship in medieval and early modern culture), REED's internal governance is provided by an Executive Board of senior scholars in early drama and related fields. Its advisors and collections editors are drawn from Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. " ...

Added on: Aug 16, 2007 | Hits: 752

Renaissance Flute Iconography. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 744

"This site is devoted to tracing and cataloguing all surviving clavichords made in the various countries of Latin America before about 1920, with photos and descriptive details. Clavichords were introduced into Central and South America, along with other European musical instruments, by the conquistadores, and they continued to be made there right through until the late nineteenth century if not later. Some of them are of particular interest because they preserve elements of the style of construction of the original sixteenth- and seventeenth-century models. So far 19 instruments have been traced; it seems highly likely that there are more to be discovered, and I hope the web-site will encourage researchers in the region and elsewhere to report their findings. The web catalogue will be continuously updated to incorporate new information. (Peter Bavington) " ... Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 15, 2009 | Hits: 713

CIMCIM is the acronym for Comité International des Museés et Collections d'Instruments de Musique (International Committee of Musical Instrument Museums and Collections) CIMCIM is one of 25 international committees of ICOM, the International Council of Museums, and was established in 1960. CIMCIM aims to promote high professional standards in the use and conservation of musical instruments in museums and collections. CIMCIM meets every three years during the ICOM General Conferences and in each of the other two years organizes a special meeting, usually including symposium papers and museum visits. Meetings are held in different countries of the world: recent venues have included Austria/Slovakia/Hungary, Norway, U.K., Belgium, Canada, Japan, U.S.A., Netherlands, Germany and Argentina. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 696

Iconography of the early flute. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 692

"This private collection, in Bristol, U.K., has grown in importance to be now one of the most significant in the British Isles. Nine of its early pianos are also on public display at the York Gate Collections in the Royal Academy of Music, London, where they are on permanent loan. Kenneth Mobbs, formerly Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Bristol, U.K., has recently also retired from professional keyboard recital activity. He is now issuing CDs of recordings of himself playing on instruments in his collection, and of other recitals by him playing on modern piano and organ. Mary Mobbs, his wife, keen amateur musician and formerly professional harpsichord soundboard painter, has issued Letter Cards using photographs of some of the instruments she has decorated." See website for more info. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 02, 2008 | Hits: 682

"Traquair House Scotland's Oldest Inhabited House 1107 - 2008 Dating back to 1107 it was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror the Stuart's of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost. Today Traquair is a truly unique piece of living history welcoming visitors from all over the world, providing a magical and romantic setting for weddings, a stunning and inspiring venue for corporate groups and hosting a wide range of exciting tours and events throughout the year for all to enjoy. You can even stay here in our luxurious Bed & Breakfast accommodation. " There is an original Andreas Ruckers harpsichord (1651) located in the house -- Follow the following links on the site to view the instrument ... "What to see and do" --> "Tour of the House" (ed.)

Added on: Mar 02, 2008 | Hits: 667

Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments (Edinburgh, UK)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 631

“Trace the history of music with a visit to Denmark’s most comprehensive collection of instruments from all over the world at the Danish Music Museum, close by the gardens of Rosenborg Castle.

The museum’s evocative exhibitions provide a historic journey through the fascinating world of European musical instruments, with a special emphasis on the period from the renaissance to the beginning of the 20th century. See such curiosities as the amoeba-shaped violin and the giraffe-piano. Or visit one of the many permanent thematic exhibitions focusing on for example the raucous guitars of the mid-60’s Danish rock bands, or the ingenious creations of Danish instrument-makers.

The museum has a constantly varying series of special exhibitions. Throughout 2006 the special exhibition is dedicated to The Danish Piano – from piano to forte. ..” Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2009 | Hits: 625

"The Colonial Music Institute conducts and promotes research and educational outreach in the fields of early American music and dance. Through its website the Institute offers information and resource materials for students and fellow scholars, as well as helpful publications and on-line databases for researchers and teachers. CMI’s mission features primary research enlightened by interdisciplinary scholarship, disseminated through scholarly writing, authentic performances, and sound recordings made to the highest standards.  … Our performers are David and Ginger Hildebrand"

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 09, 2008 | Hits: 598

"On display are some 50 of the world's most important and best-preserved early keyboard instruments: harpsichords, virginals, spinets, organs and fortepianos from the period of their first construction to around 1840, many in playing order, and a new display of harps, lutes, citterns and guitars. The auditorium at St Cecilia's Hall which dates from 1763 is the oldest concert hall in Scotland, and the second oldest in Britain. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 12, 2008 | Hits: 597

"The Museo dell’Arpa Victor Salvi, located at Piasco, at the entrance to the Varaita Valley, the area that used to be the old marquisate of Saluzzo, in the district of Cuneo, was inaugurated on 3 December 2005 and is managed by the Associazione Museo dell’ Arpa Victor Salvi.

It is the very first museum entirely dedicated to the harp, its history and music, in a multi-functional building with exhibition area, auditorium and historical archives now being prepared.

The Museum, promoted by the Comunità Montana Valle Variata, the Fondazione Victor Salvi and the company Salvi N.S.M. s.p.a. has been financed by the European Union F.E.S.R., the Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze, the Regione Piemonte Direzione Industria-Turismo–Economia Montana, by G.A.L. (Tradizione delle Terre Occitane I.C. Leader AZ. 3.1) and N.S.M. s.p.a.

Work started in July 2004, the Musuem was inaugurated on 3 December 2005 and was opened to the public on 28 January 2006. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2008 | Hits: 591

“The Handel House Museum at 25 Brook Street was home to the great baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death in 1759. The only composer museum in London, this landmark address is where Handel composed some of the greatest music in history, including Messiah, Zadok the Priest  and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

The Museum celebrates Handel's life and works, displaying portraits of Handel and his contemporaries in finely restored Georgian interiors and bringing live music back to his house. There are frequent music rehearsals, weekly concerts and special musical events in addition to regular displays and exhibitions that bring Handel's world to life.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 18, 2010 | Hits: 590

"Music making around the world is represented by the Horniman's collection of musical instruments, one of the most comprehensive in the UK. The museum has over 7,000 objects made to produce sound. The oldest instrument is a pair of bone clappers in the form of human hands made in Egypt around 1,500 BC. Electric guitars and synthesizers dating from the 1990s are among the most recent acquisitions.

The Museum aims to acquire sound and video recordings with the documentation for each new instrument. Recent collections of instruments commissioned from makers in Belarus and Uzbekistan, and the newest collections associated with traditional music in India, are supported by a rich archive of such recordings.

Normally instruments are not played in order to ensure that they are preserved for future generations. The music that the instruments make will be made available to visitors via accompanying recordings alongside the gallery displays, recitals and performances. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 20, 2008 | Hits: 561

"Handsome 17th-century merchant's house with walled garden

• 'London's most enchanting country house' (Country Life)
• Exquisite 17th-century estate in the heart of Hampstead village
• Delightful walled garden with 300-year-old apple orchard
• Fine collection of European, Oriental and English porcelain
• Important collection of early keyboard instruments
• Rare examples of William and Mary needlework pictures

Added on: Feb 02, 2008 | Hits: 550

Founded in 1973 on the campus of The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, the National Music Museum & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments is one of the great institutions of its kind in the world. Its renowned collections, which include more than 10,000 American, European, and non-Western instruments from virtually all cultures and historical periods, are the most inclusive anywhere. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 549

The Raymond Russell Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments was assembled by Raymond Russell (1922-1964) and donated to the University by his mother, Mrs Gilbert Russell, in 1964 after his death. The University has since added further early keyboard instruments. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 542

“The history of the Swiss Museum of the Organ is the result of in the double safekeeping of important goods of the musical and architectural patrimony of the nation: a wonderful collection of antique organs showed in a barn post which is nine centuries old. As soon as you enter the museum, you will run your eyes over the hydraulic organ (about 246 before J.-C.), passing by instruments such as the Elysée organ, the one of the Emmental, the one in cardboard, the barrel organs, the flute clocks, the open organ,  the harmoniums, until the great organ of Radio Lausanne. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Nov 01, 2009 | Hits: 534

"The Miller Flute Collection contains nearly 1,700 flutes and other wind instruments, statuary, iconography, books, music, trade catalogs, tutors, patents, and other materials mostly related to the flute. It includes both Western and nonwestern examples of flutes from around the world, with at least 460 European and American instrument makers represented. Items in the collection date from the 16th to the 20th century.

This online presentation includes images of over 1,500 instruments, 33 photographs and other illustrations, and a 17th-century flageolet tutor. In addition, there are accompanying essays and writings about Dayton Miller, his collection, and flutes and flute makers. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2008 | Hits: 531