The Royal Academy of Music is fortunate to have a fine collection of more than 200 stringed instruments from the violin family. These have been acquired for the benefit of students and recent leavers and they are maintained in playing order by the Academy's resident luthier. The collection includes examples of the work of the finest and most influential makers, these instruments are normally kept in the Academy although they are frequently played in concerts and recordings. The present form of the collection can be said to date from 1890 when John Rutson (1829 - 1906) gave an important group of instruments to the Academy. The Rutson Collection includes the Archinto viola (1696), the Rutson violin (1694) and the Maurin violin all by Stradivari, as well as instruments by members of the Amati family, Pressenda and other influential makers. Other benefactors have given instruments or provided help with suitable purchases to form an outstanding playing collection.

• Instruments

Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737): Habeneck violin, c1734; Joachim violin, 1698; Maurin violin, 1718; violin, c1666; Andrea Amati (c1505-1577): violin, c1564; Antonio (b 1540) and Girolamo Amati (1561-1630): violin, 1629; Nicolò Amati (1596-1684): violin, 16

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• Stradivari, Antonio -
• Amati, Andrea -
• Amati, Antonio and Girolamo -
• Amati, Nicolo -
• Amati, Girolamo II -
• Guaneri, Andrea -
• Ruggeri, Francesco -

• 18th Century

• Instruments
• Instrument making and repair
• Violin
• Western Classical

Marylebone Road, London NW1 5HT

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museum@ram.ac.uk

020 7873 7443

020 7873 7374 

The Museum displays materials from the Academy's world-renowned collection of instruments, musical memorabilia and original manuscripts. The galleries host regular events including performances and demonstrations on some of the instruments on display. Particular highlights include a unique collection of stringed instruments by the greatest Italian makers, a history of the English piano and many items from the working collections of eminent musicians and from the history of the Academy. Display Overview: The collections are displayed in a series of galleries on three floors at the Royal Academy of Music. The instrument custodian's workshop can be seen through a glass screen on the stringed instrument floor. The collection includes a range of musical instruments, including working and lending collections. There is a unique collection of Cremonese stringed instruments, as well as an entire floor of English pianos tracing technical developments during the first half of the 19th century.

• Details