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Historic Musical Instruments: Use vs. Preservation
June 8, 2009
Robert L. Barclay conservation and restoration consultant

Robert Barclay, conservation and restoration consultant, explores the aesthetic and psychological aspects of authenticity, and challenges the expectations of audiences when hearing historic instruments in concert. He discusses the merits of returning old instruments to playing state, and compares that approach with the aspiration of preserving them in non-working condition as historic documents of musical instrument making and musical practice.

Art & Architecture | History
historical instruments | Music | preservation | reconstruction | stanley cup | trumpets | violins | How To & Hobbies | Art History | Music
WGBH
Massachusetts Historical Society
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Image of The Care of Historic Musical Instruments
Manufacturer: Museums&Galleries Commission
Part Number:
Price:
Author: Robert L. Barclay
Publisher: Canadian Conservation Inst (1998)
Binding: Paperback, 57 pages
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Posted by Esteban September 27th, 2009 at 1:14pm

[00:01:53]

Hello!! I'm a conservator of musical instruments working now in a Historical Organ from Mexico; this organ was changed from a portable organ to a non-portable organ. Just want to say that I been reading R.L Barclay in his work at Organ Restoration Reconsidered; and he has become one of my gurus. He has helped me to understand these wonderfull objectas and to justify the documentation that the team is doing right know. We are all trying to explain to Mexican organ builders and organists the importance of a well documented project and that, as Laurence Libin once said: musical instruments are more than sound! I'd like to be in touch with Mr. Barclay if is not to much trouble! How can i do this?

Good bye!