The V&A's musical instrument collection
'Manxman' piano, designed by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott for John Broadwood, about 1896, made about 1902-3. Museum no. W.15:1-1976
As a museum of the decorative arts, the V&A acquired its musical instruments and has displayed them as works of art rather than to tell the history of music. This is the context in which they are currently shown in the British Galleries and the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries. In line with this longstanding approach, further instruments will be displayed in the Furniture Gallery which opens in 2012 and in the new Europe 1600-1800 Galleries when they open in 2014.
Gallery 40a, which previously housed musical instruments, closed to the public on 22 February 2010 as part of the V&A’s continuing programme of gallery renewal. The Museum has since refurbished the area as part of the programme for enhancing its displays of fashion and the history of dress.
The V&A made significant loans to the Horniman Museum which has a nationally designated collection of musical instruments.
The V&A also expects to lend to a number of other British institutions. In the interim, the musical instrument collection will be accessible by appointment as part of the Museum's Study Collections at Blythe House , Kensington Olympia.
Music has played a key part in many of the V&A’s exhibitions and permanent displays. The Listening Gallery is a two-year collaboration between the Royal College of Music and the V&A. Stemming from research in music, art, design, and technology, the project connects objects in the V&A's collections with music that shares their rich and distinctive pasts.
The Musical Instrument Catalogue
You can download the V&As Musical Instrument Catalogue here. The Catalogue has been divided up into separate sections to enable quicker downloading - each link opens in a new tab or window.
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Keyboard Instruments (.pdf, 17.0 MB)
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Stringed Instruments (.pdf, 5.6 MB)
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Wind Instruments (.pdf, 1.7 MB)
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Index & Bibliography (.pdf, 823.6 KB)
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Plates - Stringed Instruments (.pdf, 15.5 MB)
Download the V&A Catalogue of Musical Instruments - Plates - Wind Instruments (.pdf, 2.7 MB)
Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950
From 19 May 2012 the V&A celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries with an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers.
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The History of the NME
'The NME mattered to all those generations who grew up with music at the centre of their universe.
Buy nowEvent - Digital Kids
Sat 22 October 2011–Sun 24 June 2012
FAMILY EVENT: Have fun creating your own digital art with help from experts.
Free and drop in. unless stated otherwise. Recommended for ages 5+
