Kerekasztal beszélgetés

How Are Period Instruments Made?

What makes a newly built instrument sound and feel like one from 300 years ago? How do we know how instruments were tuned back then? Is it different to hold a Baroque violin than a modern one? Are the keys of a harpsichord smaller than those of a piano? These are just a few of the many fascinating questions that will be explored — and answered — in this unique opportunity to peek inside the world of historical instrument making.

As part of the Early Music Days, on 3 July, participants of the course are invited to a special Open Workshop and instrument exhibition at the Piarista Kilátó Központ. Alongside instruments from Haydneum’s own collection, master instrument makers will present both completed and in-progress instruments, offering a rare look at the various stages of the building process.

The Open Workshop and the evening roundtable discussion will be hosted by Dániel Bartyik, and joined by master makers Szabolcs Bárdi (violin and lute), Balázs Gollob (string instruments), and Endre Pásztor (recorders).

To conclude the professional day, a public roundtable discussion will begin at 6:00 PM, where the audience will have the chance to hear directly from the experts. Topics will include how period instruments are built, how their sound and characteristics can be faithfully recreated, and what distinguishes modern instruments from historical ones.

The aim of both the exhibition and the discussion is to offer a deeper insight into historically informed instruments — crafted today with modern expertise — and to foster open dialogue about the role of historical performance practices in contemporary music-making.

Collaborating partner: the Haydneum - Hungarian Early Music Centre Foundation.
Haydneum is supported by the Prime Minister’s Office and Bethlen Gabor Fund Management Ltd.