Aussellungsansicht Klingende Sammlung

The Playing Collection

The new Music Museum in Bern

What does a lur, a serpent or a contrabass saxophone sound like? Which instruments were playing together in orchestras and bands of earlier periods. And will I manage to get a tone out of an alphorn, the taragot or an ancient Roman cornu? Questions such as these are explored in the exhibition «C’est le vent qui fait la musique». Wind instruments and drums spanning 300 years of history can be marveled at as well as heard through the free video guide. And additionally, there are many instruments available to try playing on your own!
The Playing Collection, based on Karl Burri’s legendary and internationally renowned collection of instruments, was rescued through a private foundation and is now on view in the middle of Bern since 2017.

The Playing Collection
Anno 1811 - The Origins of Wind Bands in Switzerland
until Fr, 31.03.2028

“In the year 1811, this music society was formed,” noted a musician from the Rorschach wind band in his music book. Two hundred years ago, wind bands were forming in many places, usually featuring several ‘Turkish’ percussion instruments.

 

The Klingendes Museum Bern holds 20 original instruments and 49 music books from such a wind band of the early 19th century. As a uniquely multifaceted source, this collection documents the beginnings and early developments of wind band culture in Switzerland, as it is still practised today.

 

The special exhibition ‘Anno 1811’ brings this to life through sound: alongside the original instruments and sheet music, it features videos of a performance of this music as well as documents from the period.

 

The Playing Collection
Exhibition on wind instruments from 300 years and try to play by yourself
English videoguide included
Permanent exhibition