Postcard from Bologna, Italy: Tickling the antique ivories

Some of the oldest surviving harpsichords and pianos found in Europe are exhibited in rooms of San Colombano – Collezione Tagliavini. The ornate musical instruments are displayed in a setting predating many of them, a former church compound adorned with murals themselves worthy of viewing.

What is amazing about the collection is that the instruments are not merely preserved but are kept in working order. They are playable and are exercised regularly to keep them so.

While there, we stumbled upon a demonstration for students. These videos are hardly sterling productions but do offer a small sampling of the sound of a pair of musical assets housed here.