Fête de la Musique

2002: the King Baudouin Foundation buys the prestigious Robert Pernet collection, a treasure for every jazz lover in the flat country. The collection was then transferred to the MIM, where it is still being held. But far from being a simple repository, the collection launched a real dynamic.

After a CD (now out of print), an exhibition, there is the book tracing the history of jazz in Belgium! From the minstrels shows at the beginning of the century to Toots, you will know everything about what made Belgium dance until the 1970s.

Available at the museumshop - € 12,50

La Semaine du Son/De Week van de Klank

Festival Courants d'Airs

Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles

Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles

Audiovisual collection

An outstanding inventor, talented craftsman and excellent musician, Adolphe Sax began making wind instruments following the footsteps of his father, Charles-Joseph Sax. In his workshop, he improved many instruments, and patented their innovative design. Inspired by the initial successes, he launched into the creation of new instruments, which he named after himself: saxhorns, saxotrombas and saxtubas were to enjoy great success. But his most original masterpiece was undoubtedly the saxophone, which he developed in a complete range, from sopranino to sub-bass.

Under the guidance of the curator of the SAX200 exhibition, Géry Dumoulin, the four chapters of this richly illustrated catalogue tell the story of the remarkable inventor. The reader will learn all about Sax, his inventions, his business and his private life. Various lesser-known aspects of his creative activity, such as the medical instruments he devised are treated as well.

Available in the museumshop - € 25

Among the great names in the history of harpsichord making, that of the Ruckers is probably the most famous. This dynasty of makers, represented by four generations active in Antwerp between c.1580 and c.1680, exerted a predominant influence in Western Europe. Their harpsichords and virginals, synonyms of extraordinary workmanship, acquired a tremendous reputation that extended beyond European borders and lasted until well after their active period. The envy they inspired was such that it gave rise to large-scale counterfeiting, probably the most significant in the field of instrument making up to then. The MIM owns eighteen instruments considered at the time of their acquisition to be made in the Ruckers workshop. Given the considerable patrimonial interest of this collection, a project centred on its conservation, study, restoration and enhancement was set up. The book sums up this fascinating research and sheds new light on this outstanding heritage. This survey is directed by Pascale Vandervellen, curator of the stringed keyboard instruments of the mim.

This book won the Nicholas Bessaraboff price in 2019, issued by the American Musical Instrument Society!

Available in English - € 59 in the museumshop