World music at the Galerie Sonore in Angers
So the title clearly tells us that there is nothing to see here... Which, by the way, challenges the very name of "museum". Unusual, for a museum... which is not a museum! Well, then...
Nothing to see? In fact, it's completely false... but it's a bit true anyway! Explanations...
Created in 1973 by Maurice Fleuret and the Jeunesses Musicales de France, the Galerie Sonore travels to many cities. In 1980, it moved to a late 15th century manor house in Angers. The place is named "Maison des Musiques".
And there you can see... a collection of about 2000 instruments from all over the world!
You can, of course, visit and admire this impressive collection. These instruments come from the five continents, and are presented in six rooms, representative of different musical cultures such as those of the Arab world, West Africa, Asia, South America...
But the aim is not to allow visitors to go silently from showcase to showcase, from object to object, as is usually done in museums... not at all... and this is why the very name "museum" is inappropriate.
Indeed, unlike a museum that exhibits rare pieces around a theme, the instruments on display have not been chosen according to a particular rarity, but according to their use.
The unusual thing about this place is that all the instruments are "in playing condition", and used by the public. As the site states, "visual appeal is always complemented by moments of sound manipulation".
The site also indicates that this sound manipulation "allows the discovery of unusual timbres, and initiates the essential principles that govern musical practice throughout the world by the diversity of the instruments presented".
Music and pedagogy
As we have understood, the objective of the Galerie Sonore d'Angers is clearly educational, in the form of initiation and use. The aim is to lead the public towards a musician's approach, by listening and respecting cultural particularities.
In this spirit, many events are organized, on site, but also in schools or other structures, in France and abroad.
For individuals, weekly workshops are also organized, as well as courses for children and adults, and "musical Sundays with the family". Training courses are also provided.
Maison des Musiques
1, rue du Pin
49000 Angers
Tél.: 02.41.66.24.00
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