Concert Hall
The magical breath of music
Welcome in the Concert Hall,under a sumptuous framework. A fascinating space dedicated to automatic pneumatic pianos and instruments, pneumatiques automatiquescapable of playing without human intervention… with an astonishing realism, awaits you.
Mechanical ingenuity: the music without musician
These instruments can work thanks to a clever pneumatic system,using perforated paper rolls..
How does it work? The paper roll passes in front of a “pan flute”, fitted with as many holes as there are notes. Each perforation allow air to enter a hole activating a small bellowthat plays the corresponding note. The result is an automaticprecise, expressive interpretation.
Orchestrions: authentic orchestras
In this room, you will discover the impressive orchestrions,true mechanical orchestras able of playing multiple instruments at the same time.
Highly sought until the 1930s, they brought lively music to grand hotels,, restaurants,, concert halls, and sometimes even luxury cabarets with their catchy tunes.
Automatic string instruments
At the museum, you will discover how genius mechanisms also made it possible to play:
- Banjo, zither, guitar and harp, all mechanical
- Automatic violins
The jewel of the Concert Hall? The Phonoliszt Violina,an exceptional instrument combining piano and three synchronized violins. Designed to accompany silent films in the 1920s,it is as fascinating to watch as it is to hear.