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#Exhibit of the Month

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The music is recorded on a cylinder with pins. The interior is divided into three compartments: the first contains the crank and the mechanism that operates the cylinder with pins, the second - the cylinder with pins and vibrating lamellae, and the third - two levers for starting and stopping the melody. The cylinder holds seven melodies by W.A. Mozart, which are played through the vibration of steel teeth arranged in a comb, whose tips are adjacent to the cylinder. The lid of the box features floral marquetry on its outer surface. This cultural asset is classified under the "Tezaur" category.

The Story of Musical Boxes

Musical boxes originated in Switzerland at the end of the 18th century. In 1796, watchmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon invented a pocket watch with an incorporated musical mechanism, using the principle of tuned metal lamellae. The invention quickly spread, soon leading to the creation of musical boxes independent of watches.

Initially invented and built for the salon entertainment of the aristocracy, musical boxes quickly evolved, capturing the market and public interest with these entertainment machines. The musical box industry was predominantly centered in Switzerland. Geneva remains the cradle of the musical box, even though the art of crafting these musical wonders spread to other regions of Switzerland - such as Jura, Auberson, and Sainte Croix - and later to other countries, including France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Some of the most notable manufacturers of musical boxes include: Mermod Frères, Paillard, Reuge, Thorens, Cuendet, Junod, Nicole Frères, Ducommun-Girod, Brémond, and L'Epee.

The musical box operated on a relatively simple principle: a cylinder with pins (cylindrical pins) would, through rotation, actuate a metal "comb" tuned to specific musical notes, both being concealed from view in one of the box's compartments. By turning the cylinder - with the help of a spring mechanism (similar to that of watches) - the pins would strike the steel "teeth" of the comb, causing them to vibrate and produce different musical notes. A musical box could have a limited number of melodies "programmed" onto the cylinder - from 4 to 12.

Over time, the cylinders were replaced with interchangeable metal discs. Based on this operating principle, large musical boxes emerged in cafés and taverns, which could be activated by inserting a coin, allowing users to select their preferred disc.

Besides the ingenious mechanism, musical boxes also stood out for the artistry of their exterior decorations, featuring materials such as precious woods, mother-of-pearl, ivory, and metal.

The decline of musical boxes began with the invention of the phonograph (1877) and the gramophone (1887). Production continued for a while, but by the early 20th century, most renowned companies had abandoned the business and started manufacturing other mechanical musical instruments.

Virtual Tour


Exhibitions

"IMPRESSIONS FROM INDIA"

THE EXHIBITION OF ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL BOCK (USA)

4-30 June, 2024

The International Association "Euro Photo Art" from Oradea (AIEFA) has prepared for photography lovers from the Republic of Moldova, an exhibition of photographic art of great artistic value, entitled "Impressions from India", which was also opened last year at the Palace of the Parliament in Romania, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Romania and India.

The exhibition is organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art recognized by UNESCO, in partnership with the National History Museum of Moldova, the Embassy of India in Romania and the Republic of Moldova respectively Summit Agro Romania, a company belonging to the Japanese corporation Sumitomo, supporter of agriculture and art.

This time, a selection of 50 large-format photographs will be installed on the easels in the hall at the entrance to the National History Museum of Moldova, made by the renowned photographer artist Paul Bock from the United States of America, originally from Oradea, member of AIEFA. The images were taken during a creative trip of the renowned photographic artist in the summer of 2022 in India. The images can also be viewed on the website of the International Association: https://eurofotoart.ro/expo-paul-bock-usa/.

The opening of the photographic art exhibition entitled "Impressions from India" will take place on Tuesday 04 June 2024, at 15:00, in the entrance hall of the National History Museum of Moldova, in the presence of distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of India in Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Albania, His Excellency Rahul Shrivastava, curator of the exhibition, photographer artist Ștefan Tóth István, President of AFIAP, ESFIAP and Dr. Eng. Patricia Maria Ştirbu, President of Summit Agro for Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and Adria.

On this occasion, the photographic art album "Impressions from India", by the photographer Paul Bock, published with the financial support of the Embassy of India in Romania and under the care of the publishing house "Euro Foto Art", will be released.

The musical moments of the opening will be provided by the renowned Oradean viola artist Thurzó Sándor József, who will perform several pieces from the Indian repertoire: "Poor Heart" by A.R. Rahman¸ "Fire in the city of Poroshmoni" by R. Tagore, "I still want you" by Mithoon and "Sare Jahan Se Acha" by Suhale Mazoor. The opening will be broadcast online on the Association's facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/EuroFotoArtAssociation

The famous photographer Paul Bock was born in Oradea, he graduated from the Mixed Classical High School in his hometown, and after obtaining an engineering degree from the Polythenic Institute of Timisoara, he returned to Oradea for a period of time, then, for 26 years, led a petrochemical plant design workshop in the USA, South Korea, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Italy. His dream from his youth - photography - was forgotten, because of the activities of this period. After the family situation allowed him to do so, he also devoted himself to photography. Thus, from the year 2000, he studied with the renowned artist photographer Larry Jeans, the assistant in his youth to the renowned world-class photographer Ansel Adams. In 2004 he obtained the Diploma Tri - Community School of Photography from Los Angeles. On August 4, 2013, he joined the "Euro Photo Art" Association, and from 2017 he became the vice-president of the International Association for the USA. He regularly participated with his works in various international projects organized by the "Euro Photo Art" Association in different parts of the world.

Throughout his artistic career he obtained a series of international awards and distinctions. From his works, two exhibitions of photographic art were opened in 2009 and 2018, in the longest-running permanent gallery of photographic art in Romania, the "Euro Foto Art" Gallery - Oradea (RO), which in 2019 also became the 17th FIAP Exhibition Center in the world.


 




Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
  

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#Exhibit of the Month

The music is recorded on a cylinder with pins. The interior is divided into three compartments: the first contains the crank and the mechanism that operates the cylinder with pins, the second - the cylinder with pins and vibrating lamellae, and the third - two levers for starting and stopping the melody...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

menu
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC