Museum Geelvinck

Museum Geelvinck regularly organizes concerts at its own locations and partner venues. What makes these concerts unique is that the historical piano—often expertly restored by specialists—is played “in the wild.” Performing on a historical piano is a skill in itself, and the musicians are specially trained for it.

Another key initiative of Museum Geelvinck is the Geelvinck Festival. Over the past two years, the festival, traditionally featuring concerts, masterclasses, and a symposium, has partially continued online. Recordings were made, and for a fee, anyone can enjoy the various video podcast series from the comfort of their home.

The defining element of Museum Geelvinck is the historical piano, an instrument built between approximately 1750 and 1880. Music played on a historical piano sounds different from a modern piano—likely closer to what the composer originally intended. For me, it was a revelation to discover how enjoyable Bach sounds on a historical piano.