Collection - Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung - Preußischer Kulturbesitz

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Collection

The Musikinstrumenten-Museum of the Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung collects musical instruments of European art music from the 16th to the 21st century. The museum currently has around 3,600 instruments in its collection, many of which are in playable condition. A good 800 instruments are on display in the exhibition collection.

View of the collection toward the north end of the museum, with prospect of the Gray organ on the right
View of the collection toward the north end of the museum, with prospect of the Gray organ on the right. Photo: SPK/photothek.net/Thomas Trutschel
  • View of the collection toward the north end of the museum, with prospect of the Gray organ on the right
  • Harpsichord made by the Flemish instrument-making family Ruckers
  • Harps and pianos on the upper floor of the museum
  • String and keyboard instruments on the upper floor of the museum
  • Harpsichords made by the Flemish instrument-making family Ruckers
  • Instruments made by the Berlin instrument maker Moritz on the upper floor of the museum
  • Stringed instruments in the north end of the museum

Highlights of the Exhibition

Pipe prospect of the Gray organ

Among the approximately 3,600 instruments and objects in the Musikinstrumenten-Museum are some outstanding treasures. Follow us on a tour of the Musikinstrumenten-Museum Berlin! more

Central Themes of the Collection

Cembalo aus der Werkstatt der Familie Ruckers

The museum collects instruments of European art music dating from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century. We present some of the central themes of this representative collection. more

Special Exhibitions

Pandurina

The Musikinstrumenten-Museum regularly hosts special exhibitions with different thematic focuses. more

History

Black and white photo showing a man playing a glass harmonica

The history of the Berlin Musikinstrumenten-Museum dates back to 1888 when Philipp Spitta and Joseph Joachim founded the "Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente" (Collection of Old Musical Instruments) at the Königliche Akademische Hochschule (Royal Academy) in Berlin. more

Restoration and Conservation

Man with beard in blue shirt looks into a microscope. In front of him is a violin.

Researchers at the museum systematically study the collection and work with restorers in overseeing the conservation and restoration projects of the museum. more

Opening hours

Monday closed
Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

23 July to 30 August 2024
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday closed

Further Resources

Online Collection of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin