The Cobbe Collection of Keyboard Instruments with Composer Associations

Adopt an Instrument in the Cobbe Collection

The Cobbe Collection of historic keyboard instruments includes the largest group of instruments
owned or played by famous composers to be seen together anywhere in the world.

What is especially magical is that the collection is maintained in playing order to allow
artists and audiences to experience the sounds that inspired composers.

To Adopt an Instrument click here

Adopt an Instrument

Broadwood piano Grandpianoforte by John Broadwood, 1847.

We are most grateful to the generous private donors who contributed to our Adopt an Instrument scheme last year.

We are also indebted to The Chopin Society, London for their continuing five-year adoption of Chopin’s piano. Likewise, the Elgar Society for their continuing adoption of Elgar’s piano.

Keeping instruments in playing order is an expensive business. This is partly why most museums don’t attempt it. We feel that it is vital that the Cobbe Collection continues with this ideal. The annual cost of maintaining each keyboard varies from instrument to instrument, depending on intrinsic qualities and the number of times it is used for concerts.

Lid of the Ruckers Harpsischord
Ruckers-Hemsch keyboard and keywell, 1636.

Adopt an Instrument invites you to underwrite the maintenance and tuning of a particular instrument for one or more years. There is a form at the end of this booklet should you like to be part of this scheme.

If you should decide to take part in this scheme, your adopted instrument will be displayed to the public with a notice stating that you have supported its maintenance and you will receive a complimentary pair of tickets to a concert of your choice (subject to availability). Your name will appear as the adopter of the instrument in the succeeding published list of concerts and in the programme of any concert in which it is used.

To Adopt an Instrument click here

Sound board of King Charles II virginals
Mahler’s Graf, 1836, nameboard and maker’s plaque.

Keyboard of Chopin's Pleyel Grandpianoforte by Conrad Graf, 1819–20.

Donation for Annual Maintenance during 2013

1. Zenti
£500

2. Ruckers
£600

3. Virginals
Re-adopted by Peter Gillman

4. Snetzler
£300

5. Zumpe, 1769
£200

6. Zumpe/JC Bach
£1200

7. Hoffman
£500

8. Erard square piano thought to have belonged
to Marie Antoinette
Re-adopted by Mrs Pat Grayburn

9. Shudi/Broadwood harpsichord, 1787
£500

10. Grand piano by ‘pupil’ of Stein, c. 1795
£1200

11. Hancock
£400

12. Haydn Longman & Broderip grand
£1600

13. Longman & Broderip grand
£400

14. Anton Walter, 1816
£600

15. J. Broadwood & Sons, signed by Cramer
£400

16. Conrad Graf grand piano, 1823
£400

17. Nanette Streicher grand piano made for George IV
£400

18. Graf piano, 1836, belonged to Mahler
£400

19. Elgar’s Broadwood square piano, 1848
Adopted by the Elgar Society

20. Erard piano, 1845, signed by Thalberg
£600

21. Chopin’s Pleyel piano, 1848
Adopted by the Chopin Society

22. Broadwood played by Chopin at his London recitals
£1100

23. Bizet’s writing table piano
£200

24. Steinway grand piano, 1864
£400