About
St Cecilia's Hall stands as Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall and now houses one of the world's finest collections of historical keyboard instruments. Built in 1763 for the Edinburgh Musical Society, this elegant Georgian building hosted Scotland's first public concerts and welcomed audiences for performances by the greatest musicians of the age.
Today, as part of the University of Edinburgh's museums and collections, St Cecilia's Hall showcases the remarkable Russell Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments alongside other significant musical artifacts. Visitors encounter an extraordinary array of harpsichords, clavichords, spinets, fortepianos, and early pianos spanning four centuries of keyboard instrument development. The collection includes instruments by legendary makers such as the Ruckers family, Kirkman, Broadwood, and Érard.
What makes St Cecilia's Hall particularly special is that these instruments are not silent museum pieces. The hall maintains an active concert program, with many collection instruments regularly played in historically-informed performances. The building's exceptional 18th-century acoustics, carefully preserved and enhanced during recent restoration, make it a living museum where visitors can experience historical instruments as they were meant to be heard. The combination of architectural beauty, musical heritage, and world-class collections creates an intimate and sophisticated cultural experience unique in Scotland.
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Highlights
Russell Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments
The internationally renowned Russell Collection forms the heart of the museum, comprising over 50 historic keyboard instruments collected by Edinburgh-born harpsichord maker Raymond Russell. This extraordinary assemblage includes harpsichords, virginals, spinets, clavichords, and early pianos by the most celebrated makers from the 16th to early 19th centuries.
Instruments by the Antwerp Ruckers dynasty, English makers like Shudi and Kirkman, and French builders including Taskin represent the finest craftsmanship of their eras.
What distinguishes this collection is that instruments are maintained in playing condition and regularly used for concerts, allowing visitors to hear them as intended rather than viewing them as silent artifacts.
The Oval Concert Hall
The breathtaking oval concert hall, restored to Georgian magnificence, represents one of Scotland's most important 18th-century interiors. Original features include ornate plasterwork, elegant proportions designed for optimal acoustics, and period decorative elements. The hall's elliptical shape was specifically engineered for musical performance, creating remarkable acoustics that allow even whispered conversations to be heard clearly.
The recent £6 million restoration uncovered and preserved original paint schemes and architectural details while sensitively introducing modern climate control to protect the precious instruments. Sitting in this intimate space during a concert, surrounded by 250 years of musical history, provides an unmatched experience.
Ruckers Family Instruments
The collection contains exceptional examples by the Ruckers family of Antwerp, who dominated European harpsichord making in the 16th and 17th centuries. These instruments, prized across Europe and fought over by collectors for centuries, represent the highest achievement of early keyboard instrument craft.
The Ruckers developed innovative construction techniques, distinctive tone, and elaborate decorative cases featuring paintings, marquetry, and gilt ornamentation.
Several instruments bear original soundboard paintings of flowers, birds, and landscapes. Understanding the Ruckers' influence helps trace the development of keyboard instruments across Europe, as later makers copied, restored, and enlarged their instruments to meet changing musical demands.
English Harpsichord Making
The collection showcases England's golden age of harpsichord making through instruments by Shudi, Kirkman, and their rivals. These 18th-century London makers created a distinctively English harpsichord style with powerful tone, robust construction, and mechanical innovations like the Venetian swell for dynamic expression.
The instruments reflect England's musical culture during Handel's lifetime when the harpsichord dominated both domestic and concert music.
Elaborate veneers, inlays, and carefully selected woods demonstrate that these were luxury items displaying owners' wealth and taste. The transition from harpsichord to fortepiano and eventually modern piano can be traced through successive instruments in the collection.
Collections
The Russell Collection
Main display of historic keyboard instruments spanning 400 years, with instruments arranged to show technical and aesthetic evolution.
The Concert Hall
Restored Georgian oval concert room with original plasterwork and period features, used for performances and available to view.
Edinburgh's Musical Heritage
Exhibition exploring the building's history and Edinburgh's 18th-century musical culture through documents, prints, and artifacts.
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.