At the Crossroads of Music and Machine: The Story of the Player Piano - Exhibition

Step into the fascinating world of the player piano, where music, technology and human ingenuity come together.

This online exhibition explores the history of an instrument that transformed the way people experienced music, bringing performances into homes and allowing music to be captured and reproduced in an entirely new way. Discover how player pianos worked, the music created for them, the people who played and recorded them, and the remarkable piano rolls that preserve a unique musical legacy.

Through instruments, recordings, images and stories, the exhibition traces the player piano from its heyday to its continuing significance today.

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5-14 November 2026. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. 

For further information, please see beinghumanfestival.org

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