Uncover the Rich 1895-1930 History of the Pianola at Geelvinck Pianola Museum

This exhibition explores the rich history and development of the pianola, a self-playing piano that gained immense popularity between 1900 and 1930. It showcases advertisements, posters in Art Deco and Jugendstil styles, period devices, and decorated music rolls from the collection.

The exhibition "1895-1930 The History of the Pianola" offers an extensive overview of the pianola's journey from its invention in 1895 by Edwin Votey to its peak popularity in the first three decades of the 20th century. During this era, an estimated twenty thousand pianolas found their way into Dutch homes, mirroring their widespread appeal across the globe. These self-playing pianos were not only a symbol of status and a source of entertainment for the affluent bourgeoisie in their elegant salons but also a medium embraced by composers to disseminate their music. The exhibition features a compelling collection including advertisements and posters in iconic Art Deco and Jugendstil designs, authentic devices from the period, and beautifully ornamented music rolls curated from the collection of the Stichting Nederlands Piano Museum. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Pianola Institute London and the Pianola Museum Amsterdam. Complementing this exhibition is the Pianola Festival, an initiative by the Stichting Nederlands Piano Museum aimed at highlighting the pianola as a significant piece of musical world heritage. The festival encompasses a variety of concerts, guided tours within the Pianola Museum, and additional events like performances and lectures held at different venues. This marks the first time the pianola has been celebrated through a dedicated festival. The festival also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging and welcomes the renowned concert pianolist Rex Lawson to the Netherlands, prompting a deeper consideration of the pianola's role: was it merely a status symbol or a true musical instrument? The full festival program is detailed in the provided folder.

The page mentions a related 'Pianola Festival' with concerts and guided tours, and directs visitors to a festival folder for program details. Specific ticketing information for the exhibition itself is not provided, but it is presented within the context of the Geelvinck Pianola Museum, implying museum admission may be relevant. Visitors are advised to check the festival folder for comprehensive program and potential access details.