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Welcome to the official
home-page of the KDV
What is a "draaiorgel"?
Draaiorgels are mechanical musical
instruments. There is no player behind the keyboard, but the instruments are played by a
moving music pattern. This can exist of a turning pinned barrel or disc, or a cardboard or
paper strip with holes in it. In all cases the music has to be converted by an arranger
into a musical pattern. Mechanical musical instruments are therefore played by the man
behind the drawing-board!
The flourishing period of
mechanical musical instruments is between about 1850 and 1920. After the rise of
gramophone and radio they were gradually crowded out. Still many enthusiasts are left, who
are interested in the extraordinary interesting technical, musical and historical aspects
of mechanical music. |
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| The KDV is a Dutch society for the
preservation of fair organs, street-organs, dance hall organs, orchestrions and other
automatic musical instruments; their history and development, and their present situation. |
This site is to inform you about the
past and present of mechanical music in the Netherlands and Europe. You will find
information about museums and organ events in Europe, membership of the KDV, news, and
products. |
We are always busy rebuilding this site. You are welcome to send additions,
corrections, contributions and other remarks. Please send E-mail to: J. van Oost, webmaster  |
page updated 23-01-2005
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