Salon des Pianos
Music salon in the house “zum Schöneck” with historical pianos, square pianos and a harpsichord; concerts and guided tours.
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About the museum
The Salon des Pianos is a collection of historical keyboard instruments housed in the music salon of the house “zum Schöneck” at St. Alban-Vorstadt 49. The townhouse was built between 1840 and 1842 by the Basel architect Melchior Berri. The collection goes back to the piano maker and restorer Georg F. Senn, who restores old instruments spanning about 250 years and displays them in two rooms of his restored house.
On display are, among others, an English cabinet piano from 1825, square pianos from England and Leipzig, upright pianos from Bern, Neuchâtel and Paris, a Paris salon grand piano by Érard from 1850, a Viennese Orphica, and a single-manual harpsichord after an Italian model from 1696. The instruments show how piano making developed in the 19th century, when compact instruments were in demand for urban middle-class households.
The instruments are not only displayed but also regularly played in concerts. A friends' association, “Pro Salon des Pianos”, supports the preservation, documentation and presentation of the collection. Visits can be arranged on request; public guided tours with sound examples take place at a fixed rhythm.
Highlights
- Historical square pianos, upright pianos and salon grand pianos from 1786 to 1870
- Paris salon grand piano by Érard (1850), delivered to a Basel company
- English cabinet piano by Broadwood (1825)
- Replica of a Venetian harpsichord from 1696
- Concerts on the instruments on display
Permanent exhibition
- Sammlung historischer Klaviere – Square pianos, upright pianos, salon grand pianos, an Orphica and a harpsichord replica show the development of the piano between 1786 and 1870.
Admission & discounts
| Concert (standard) | CHF 40Reservation by email or phone recommended |
|---|---|
| Concert (students) | CHF 20 |
The website lists admission prices for concerts; no prices are published for viewings by request. According to the event archive, admission to the public guided tours has so far been free, with a collection taken.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Public guided tour every other month on the last Saturday, 11:00–12:15, with sound examples; reservation recommended by email or phone. Special tours on the development of the fortepiano available on request. |
