Museo del Pianoforte
Housed in the Palazzo de' Pizzini von Hoechenbrunn (17th-18th centuries), the Piano Museum traces the steps of this musical instrument from its origins to the end of the 19th century, by showcasing some rare and precious specimens. Over the centuries, this elegant mansion located in Ala has hosted numerous aristocrats, princes and even monarchs, during their travels between Italy and Germany. Besides Maria Theresa of Austria in 1738 and 1739, and Napoleon Bonaparte in 1796, W. Amadeus Mozart also stayed and played here in 1771, 1772, and 1773. The museum is housed in the ground floor of the building and consists of the important collection of Temeunuschka Vesselinova, a famous concerto pianist, who is currently and mainly devoted to the study of music performed on ancient instruments.
Displayed here are pianos harking back to the times of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt, which have been beautifully restored to their former glory and give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the magic experience of listening to music as it sounded in bygone times. Besides the pianos built by the Vienna makers, such as Stein, Walter, Bohm, Dorn and Graf, there are also French pianos - such as the Pleyel and Erard pieces - and some dating back to the end of the 19th century, such as the Bechstein and Steinway. The museum also features a preservation workshop, where the old keyboards are carefully restored to their former glory. The Palazzo houses the International Academy of Music Performance on Period Instruments.
