A group surrounds a harpsichord playing instruments

Music in the Royal Collection

Many members of the royal family were talented musicians

    HILLS & SAUNDERS

    The Queen's Sitting Room, Windsor Castle

    c.1873

    RCIN 2100564

    Hand coloured photograph showing details of the Prince Consort's Sitting Room, such as the piano to the middle ground left. One of the painting may be 'First Born' by Josef van Lerius (WC Inv 557), above the Erard piano. Other paintings are The Tempt
    Prince Consort's Sitting Room, Windsor, c.1860.Copyright: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited

    Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had pianos in their apartments in all of the palaces that they occupied. The great pianist and composer Sigismond Thalberg (1812–71), as Deputy Chairman of the Jury in Musical Instruments at the Great Exhibition observed that:

    The social importance of the piano is beyond all question far greater than that of any other instrument […] By the use of the piano many who never visit the opera or concerts become thoroughly acquainted with the choicest dramatic and orchestral compositions.

    Sigismond Thalberg 

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