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Not just any bow

Google Arts & Culture

Do you like the beautiful sound of a violin? Then you have the bow to thank for that, because without a bow there is no violin music.

Playable instruments

A number of musical instruments from the museum collection are often played by our sound experts. Several historic instruments have been restored to playable condition despite their age, while others have been created, each with their own story.

Pleyel grand piano (1884)

Soundmaster Jeroen Malaise

Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has kept a superb grand piano by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie. Following a comprehensive restoration in 2020-2021, the instrument was once again playable. Belgian pianist-composer Jeroen Malaise is an ambassador for the 'Pleyel'.

Table piano by Kadel (c.1827)

Soundmaster Thomas Boodts

Brussels piano maker Karel Kadel built the table piano in our collection around 1827. Pianist Thomas Boodts is an ambassador for the instrument.

Dulcken harpsichord (1747)

Soundmaster Korneel Bernolet

Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has kept the magisterial Dulcken harpsichord on permanent loan from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. Historic keyboard player Korneel Bernolet is an ambassador for the instrument.

Pianoforte by Conrad Graf (1826)

Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has preserved and displayed one of the finest Viennese pianofortes in the world, a grand piano by Austrian-German piano-maker Conrad Graf.

A Flemish lute (2023)

Soundmaster Justin Glaie

Since 2023, there has been a special lute in our collection, examples of which have only survived in Flemish paintings from the first half of the 17th century. Musician and instrument maker Justin Glaie produced the lute in 2021, at our request.

Flemish masterpieces

Various pieces in our collection have been recognised by Flanders as rare and invaluable. They have been added to the Flemish Masterpiece List.

TorenTunes

A small exhibition about grand sounds

In the mini-exhibition TorenTunes, you can see some items from the museum's special music collection and learn everything there is to know about Antwerp Cathedral Tower and its carillon.

A new harpsichord for Museum Vleeshuis

Instrument maker Bas Neelen is building a playable harpsichord for Museum Vleeshuis based on the example of a Flemish Masterpiece from the museum's collection: a 1615 harpsichord by Antwerp-based maker Andreas Ruckers. It is the very first time this more than 400 year-old instrument will be reproduced.