St. Gilgen is a place that houses an incredible 4,200 instruments from all over the world. Lord of the Instruments is Askold zur Eck, who together with his parents has collected all the instruments in the People’s Musical Instrument Museum.

“My parents infected me”, laughs Askold zur Eck when you ask him about the origin of his collector’s passion. For many years, the family has been collecting special instruments from all around the world. And it often takes a long time before Askold understands how to play the instruments.

In the end, however, he always finds out. And then he shares his new knowledge with the visitors of the Musical Instrument Museum, which opened its doors in the old Culture House. Askold himself plays many of the approximately 4,200 instruments – at least good enough that the guests get an impression of the tonality.

A world trip in St. Gilgen

The real speciality of the Musical Instrument Museum is the possibility to get to know the whole world in just a few square metres. And for almost every country or continent, Askold has an exciting story to tell. Either from his own journeys there, his parent’s memories or from the hardships he underwent to find out how to play each instrument.

When ears open eyes: The People’s Musical Instrument Museum

Musikinstrumente-Museum der Völker
Aberseestraße 11, St. Gilgen
Info: con.takt@hoerart.at
www.hoerart.at