Press Documentation: ON THE ROAD – History and stories about barrel and fairground organs

Special exhibition from 24.03.2023 to 07.01.2024 at the Seewen Museum of Music Automatons.

On streets and squares, the tunes from barrel and fairground organs entice passers-by. The special exhibition ‘On the road' follows their sounds and gives us an insight into life and society at fairgrounds and in courtyards.

There is some uncertainty surrounding the origin of the barrel organ. The first written and visual evidence dates back to the early 18th century. At this time the mobile barrel organ was a popular instrument of travelling performers, such as wandering minstrels, who would tell spine-chilling stories and tales of adventure to entertain crowds in the countryside and in villages. Meanwhile, a familiar sight in towns and cities were organ grinders – who were nearly always men – wandering through the narrow streets with their instruments and playing them in courtyards to eke out a meagre living.  The barrel organ made its stage debut in 1928 in the first performance of Bertolt Brecht's 'Threepenny Opera'.  

The self-playing fairground organs also served to entice and entertain audiences with popular music and well-known hits. Until the 1930s, the fairground organ was the main source of music at funfairs besides the barrel organ and therefore a valuable piece of equipment for fairground entertainers. With its powerful sound and robust design, the fairground organ is specially designed for use in the open air. Together with attractions such as the merry-go-round and the swing boat, it travelled from place to place with the fairground entertainers.

Every barrel and fairground organ also has its own unique story to tell as before becoming exhibits in the collection of the Museum of Music Automatons and other museums and collections, these instruments had a life on the road. This special exhibition tells their stories and provides an insight into what they can tell us about these periods in history.  

Public guided tours of the special exhibition are held on the first Saturday of the month at 11.30 a.m. Please register in advance for private tours.