Prague Instrument Museum

(Due to some technical difficulties, I couldn't get this blog posted until today).  

 

On Saturday, our group headed over to the Czech instrument museum only a few blocks from our hostel.  Hopeful for an exhibit on saxophones, we began the progression of the museum on the first floor, which was only artifacts that were not instruments. (some highlights were a life like dog statue, and some rag time jazz at one of the listening stations.  With doubts that I would ever see a saxophone besides the brief solo at the Gavanthaus, we continued upstairs.  I have taken both music history 1 and 2, and have seen pictures of most of the instruments used in the development of western music and the evolution of modern instruments, but have seen very few in person.  

 

This museum was spectacular.  Not only were there large displays of the instruments, but there were also listening stations in almost every room where you could hear the instruments being played.  It was satisfying to see many instruments that I recognized, but also humbling to see those that were unfamiliar.  One of the greatest things about music is that you will never achieve mastery or knowledge of all of the styles, genres, or instruments, and there is always more to be learned at every moment.  Although my string lab course last semester was wonderful, I still have so much to learn about the history and evolution of string instruments.  

 

Some of the highlights were the pyramid piano, the hurdygurdy, and yes, the saxophone!  There was also a cabinet full of lutes (the instrument), and we snapped a few good photos for the PLU study away photo contest.  The collection was extensive, and the brass player were particularly impressed with the multiple cabinets full of oddly shaped (to us anyway) brass instruments.  This was one of the best museums on the trip.  Seeing the instruments in person, as well as listening to recordings of the instruments in the museum was better than any text book at school!  (maybe PLU can work a trip to this museum into the music curriculum?)  What a day this was!