Our collection of Instruments

**english version forthcoming **

Since 1994 we could collect representative pianos with a focus on pianos by South German makers. Some square pianos and grand made elsewhere were added to complement the collection.

We followed several guide lines:

Our primary intention was to collect mostly unchanged originals with a minimum of later repairs to research these as scientific sources, to test and refine useful documentation methods to be used as samples for reconstructions based as closely as possible to our research results. In doing so the condition of the originals should not only remain unchanged but preserved and documented to enable to provide a reference base for counterchecking the facsimilia for resemblance but also the specific traces of wear and aging.-

- Secondly we felt obligated to further secure instruments of cultural, social, technical, historical, relevance to prevent loss or decay.

- Thirdly, single instruments previously restored under different aspects (between the scopes of restrained conservation up to renewed playability) should be gathered to study the consequences of such measures undertaken and aid in developing own alternative proceedings and methods to solve occuring problems.

At an early stage of collecting several instruments of Bavarian descent appeared in the antiques trade, in those days outside the financial range of public collections. Therefore we felt a responsibility to acquire eg the grand pianos by Gregor Deiß previously destined for the Royal residence in Munich, and the Louis Dulcken grand of 1805 of former Thurn & Taxis property which were about to be sold to the Pacific sphere, to keep them in their cultural home region as testimonies of a flourishing piano culture.

Our collection includes the following historical instruments: