Reproducing Pianos

Self-playing instruments blend advanced music reproducing technology from the early 20th century with exceptional craftsmanship - the exhibit in this photo is from the famous German piano maker Grotrian-Steinweg. Capable of capturing and replaying the nuanced dynamics of live performances by famous pianists, this piano and other examples in our collection offer a remarkably authentic musical experience, preserving the artistry of master pianists for posterity, and showcasing both musical excellence and technical innovation.

 

Self-Playing Violins

The "Violano Virtuoso" from the Mills Novelty Company of Chicago are rare and remarkable self-playing musical instruments which combine a mechanical violin with a piano. These marvels of engineering use electric motors and electromagnets to simulate the bowing and fingering of a real violin, while simultaneously playing an integrated piano. Their ability to produce expressive duets and harmonies without human musicians made it one of the most technologically advanced and prized automatic instruments of its time.

 

Theatre Pipe Organ

"The Mighty Wurlitzer" - originally designed to accompany silent films, it is a one-person orchestra, capable of producing a vast array of sounds,  from orchestral instruments and percussion to train whistles and alarm bells. These organs brought silent films to life, and also entertained the public as performance instruments in their own right. With its ornate console, unique sound and unmatched versatility, the Musical Museum is proud to preserve and celebrate this masterpiece of musical and mechanical ingenuity. 

 

Orchestrions

The photo above is of "Claribella" - an elaborate automatic musical instrument crafted in the early 20th century by the Popper Company of Leipzig, who designed it to be a coin-operated machine installed in in cafés, restaurants and other public venues. It features a combination of piano and percussion instruments, a decorative wooden cabinet and an animated glass screen. It plays lively dance tunes, marches, and popular music of the era. The Museum's collection of Orchestrions are quintessential examples of the golden age of machines that brought music to life before the widespread use of recorded sound. 

Music Boxes

The Musical Museum has a collection of music boxed ranging from small and modest early examples to this large mechanical instrument produced in 1899 by the Baker-Troll Company. Designed to provide the experience of an "orchestra in a box" for affluent home users, this one uses its metal cylinder studded with pins not only to pluck tuned steel combs (like a normal music box), but also to operate bells, a snare drum, and a small reed organ! Whether complex or simple, music boxes are wonderful examples of the musical and mechanical mastery that can be found in automatic music. 

The KORG Gallery

KORG is a pioneering Japanese company renowned for its innovative electronic musical instruments. At the Musical Museum’s Korg Gallery, you can explore how modern music has been influenced by the early analog synthesizers of the 1960s to today’s cutting-edge digital workstations. The gallery highlights their cultural impact and technological evolution, offering a hands-on, immersive experience that connects the past, present and future of electronic music with the Museum’s celebration of mechanical and automated musical heritage. 

Inside the Mighty Wurlitzer

With almost 1,000 organ pipes (some up to 16ft long) and a host of percussions and special effects, only the organ's amazing console is visible in our Concert Hall. The rest of the instrument is housed in two pipe chambers and a "relay and blower room". The whole instrument is maintained by our amazing team of volunteers, advisors and craftsmen.

Control Room

The Museum is equipped with excellent facilities for Sound, Lighting and Vision Mixing. Not only does this help us to present our events to a high standard, but it's also a valuable resource for local theatre, media, performing arts and sound production students who volunteer with us and can learn and practice their technical skills here.

Roll Library

The Musical Museum has one of the foremost collections of Music Rolls in existence, with over 20,000 distinct examples curated and catalogued in our library. It's a valuable research resource, and has been made available to (and visited by) academics and specialists from all over the world.