Can a museum sing? The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University seems to. It hums with the echoes of thousands of instruments and the ghosts of musicians past. The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University, part of the grand Grassi Museum complex, isn’t just a repository of objects. It’s a living testament to the evolution of music. The museum’s story begins in 1886 with Paul de Wit, a Dutchman with a passion for musical instruments. He opened a museum near St. Thomas Church, envisioning a space where instruments could be seen and heard. He even played them for visitors, a tradition the museum continues today in its sound laboratory. De Wit’s collection eventually found its way to Wilhelm Heyer, a paper merchant who expanded it further. In 1926, the University of Leipzig acquired the collection. It opened in the New Grassi Museum in 1929, becoming the Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University. Tragedy struck during World War II. A bomb raid in 1943 destroyed many instruments. Others suffered damage during wartime relocation. Despite this setback, the museum persevered. Reopening in the 1950s, it slowly rebuilt its collection. Donations and acquisitions helped replenish the museum’s holdings. Instruments from the original De Wit and Heyer collections, along with others like the Kraus, Ibach, and Friedrich von Amerling collections, are still displayed today. Today, the Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University boasts around 10,000 items. The exhibits chronicle the history of music from the Renaissance onwards, showcasing European instruments and those from further afield. Visitors can explore 13 sections arranged chronologically, each showcasing different instrument types. The oldest instruments date back to the 16th century. The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University offers a unique opportunity to not just see, but hear history. In the sound laboratory, you can experiment with instruments from around the world, bringing the museum’s collection to life.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to