Content
Research on the statics of historic keyboard instruments
Funded through the KUR – Programme for the Conservation of Moveable Cultural Assets
The Händel-Haus in Halle possesses an extensive collection of rare musical instruments, the majority of which are historic keyboard instruments. Past conservation efforts have primarily focused on keeping the instruments playable in order to prolong their use in concert performances of period music dating between 1650 and 1850.
This KUR project carried out basic research on the damage that occurs to historic keyboard instruments which are still in use today. With computer-aided simulations and calculations, the researchers learned more about their statics and structural-mechanical characteristics and the risks of damaging these instruments. The results can help researchers assess whether and under which circumstances a connection exists between the playability of an instrument and its conservation requirements. In addition to benefiting other collections of historic keyboard instruments, the results formed the basis for the conservation of a tangent piano, built around 1800.
Project administrator:
Händel-Haus Halle Foundation
Cooperative partners:
Technical University of Dresden, Institute of Statics and Dynamics of Load-Bearing Structures
Art History Museum in Vienna, Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments
Foundation of Weimar Classics
Contact:
Clemens Birnbaum
Director
Händel-Haus Halle Foundation
Große Nikolaistraße 5
06108 Halle (Saale)
Tel.: +49 (0)345 50090221
stiftung@haendelhaus.de
www.haendelhaus.de
Further Informations
Further Information
KUR Programme
The KUR Programme for the Conservation of Moveable Cultural Assets was jointly initiated by the Federal Cultural Foundation and the Foundation of German States. From 2007 to 2011, the programme funded 26 projects which helped safeguard acutely threatened objects and collections of great cultural-historical significance.
