Natale Gallini Collection

The collection of musical instruments belonging to maestro Natale Gallini (1891-1983), acquired by the City of Milan in 1958, formed the initial nucleus of the Museum, which was mounted in 1963 in the Rocchetta rooms by the BBPR Studio (Banfi, Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers).
The collection was composed principally of square pianos produced in northern Italy, instruments of the great Lombard tradition of lute making and instruments from Africa, China and Japan.

Over the years the collection was increased, particularly by the legacy of the engineer and violinist Antonio Boschi, but also by private donations and new acquisitions.

Monzino Collection

In 2000 the Museum received a donation from the “De Musica” foundation of 79 instruments belonging to an esteemed family of Milanese luthiers, the Monzino. The donation consisted of both instruments made in the family’s workshop between 1750 and 1930 and instruments collected by the family. It also included a series of tools for the building of bowed and plucked instruments. Two rooms of the Museum are dedicated to this collection.

Studio di Fonologia Musicale

In 2008, thanks to the collaboration with MITO, the Studio di Fonologia Musicale (Studio of Musical Phonology) of Milan in use at the Italian national broadcaster RAI until 1983, was reconstructed with the aim of making the electronic apparatus and archives accessible to researchers and enthusiasts. The project was mounted by the Studio De Lucchi using the original furnishings designed by Gio Ponti.