Piano 325 is a new National Music Centre exhibition celebrating the 325th anniversary of the piano — an instrument that revolutionized music and continues to inspire musicians across genres.
For over three centuries, the piano — shaped by the innovations of countless builders and manufacturers – has remained one of the most important and versatile instruments in music, influencing nearly every genre and artists from Beethoven to Elton John.
Piano 325 spotlights the stories of the builders and manufacturers who played key roles in the instrument’s evolution and lasting impact on music. The exhibition will feature renowned names like Broadwood & Sons, Erard, Heintzman & Co., and Steinway & Sons, alongside lesser-known pioneers like Johannes Zumpe.
A rotating selection of rare and historic instruments from NMC’s collection will also be showcased, beginning with an 1899 Broadwood grand piano, originally exhibited at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, a world fair that introduced groundbreaking innovations of its time.