Instrument Museum

Piano building, as Chris Maene explains it himself, represents a flawless connection of three components: the design, the choice of the materials and the knowledge of the construction method. All these ingredients must be used in the right proportion, and have to be brought together in the right way. A large part of the know-how originates from tradition. Piano building has indeed known a remarkable evolution. Every individual step in that evolution is evidence of the craftsmanship of the piano builder, his own idea of good taste and his technical capabilities. If one wants to be a skilful piano builder, one has to have this evolution of craftsmanship down to a fine art and one needs to know the culture of the trade.

With that knowledge and a passion for music, Chris Maene started to collect historical keyboard instruments. Today his collection counts approximately 170 instruments, rare pieces of which some of them are restored and used for concerts and CD recordings. The collection includes among other things, a harpsichords by Hans Ruckers from 1692 and fortepianos by Graf, Tomkinson, Wachtl, Pape, Longman, Clementi, Stöcker, Worning, Bösendorfer, Erard, Steinway & Sons, Pleyel, etc. All these instruments are displayed in an equally historical building: an old, restored brewery, situated about two kilometres from the Chris Maene Workshop. This location, which is also Chris Maene’s residence, was originally used as a workshop and piano shop. The private museum is only open to the public by appointment or on special occasions.