Tickle the Ivories at Cantos

How many museums do you know of that let you get within an arm’s length of the items on display let alone touch them?

At the Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary you can do more than just visually appreciate the keyboard collection from a distance. You can observe the inner workings of the instruments up close, listen to your talented guide play the keyboards and even play them yourself.

See
The craftsmanship of many of the older pieces in the collection is not found in keyboards made today. Wood inlay, mother of pearl, intricate carving, and real tortoiseshell and ivory keys are examples of old-world artistry. Two of the oldest keyboards, the 1560 Virginal and 1679 Couchet Harpsichord, have painted scenes on the underside of the lids.

Some of the more technological items have clear exterior cases so you can see the inner mechanisms of the instruments. The clear casing of the Robb Wave organ lets you see the six-cylinder car engine that the organ was constructed from.

Sometimes you won’t believe what you’re seeing. On the transposing piano the entire row of keys slides sideways. Who knew pianos could do that?

Hear
Cantos showcases the evolution of keyboards and you can hear the diversity. The difference in sound from the string-like notes of a Baroque harpsichord to the techno beats of 80s dance music synthesizers is amazing.

You’ll recognize the sound of the Mellotron M 400 featured in The Beatles’ song Strawberry Fields Forever and the distinctive sound of the Theremin often used to make sound effects for 1950s sci-fi movies.

Play
The most remarkable thing about Cantos is the opportunity to play many of the instruments on display. Broadway aficionados will appreciate the rich sounds of the Rhapsody in Blue grand piano honouring George Gershwin and lovers of old-school blues will go wild over the Hammond B3 organ. You can’t pass up the chance to touch a piece of history by playing the 1875 Hammer dulcimer or the1876 Steinway grand.

Sensory Explosion

Of all the items in the collection, the Kimball theatre organ best combines all the sensory elements of the Cantos experience into one delightful package. Feel the rush of air from the pipes. Hear the astounding range of sounds that the organ can make including tweeting birds. See the xylophones and cymbals move as the keys are played.

Experience Music
By allowing visitors to explore the collection through sight, sound and touch, Cantos provides a tangible connection to the experience of music.

You can connect with Cantos through drop-in tours, private tours, and customized tours.