Roz and I had a horribly frustrating experience trying to see the collection at Montlucon two years ago. We made a special trip up to there from Riom, which was a couple of hours of driving as I recall, found the museum, and saw nothing about hurdy-gurdies in their literature, their posters in the lobby, no mention at all. Instead, the exhibition of some obscure French modern artist was what was available to see for that day's ticket price. We explained as best we could to the (very young) staff at the desk what a hurdy-gurdy was, the fact that they had a treasure trove of them in their building, how desperate we were to see the collection, and so on. They had no idea what we were talking about (and it wasn't just my bad French), and certainly weren't about to let us in to see anything but the work of the mediocre painter. All in all, a very depressing afternoon.
Mitch Gordon Guerneville, California, US -----Original Message----- From: Jon Redpath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 3:14 pm Subject: Re: [HG] Hurdy Gurdies in museums information If you can still get into Montlucon they had hundreds of wonderful instruments "in the back" which anyone who had a valid reason could examine or play. I feel very privileged that when I was learning I was allowed to play one or two. As pipe makers we had a session playing with the curator and I think receptionist. It is a bit of heaven.??? JON Billy Horne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Thanks everyone that replied. It seems that museums world wide have a similar situation, conserve but no laying on of hands! You must have been lucky or blessed Mike to have had that opportunity.It is sad that instruments that are created to be played and heard, are condemend to be gazed at and left silent. Billy Horne Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Email.
