Sometimes the ways in which ancient music has come down to us are convoluted: Often, for example, obsolete sheet music was reused to bind or reinforce manuscripts. In this way, the music notated on them was preserved for posterity.

Somewhat more unusual, however, was the procedure of craftsmen from Menzingen (Canton Zug): They “papered” an entire wall with sheet music as a primer for a paneling. These have now reappeared in the course of renovation work. Here, then, music is literally a link between the past and the present. But not only that: on the wall there is also a map of the world, which is framed – held together – by the sheet music.

The presentation at Scientifica is dedicated to this chance find of old music. You will see the manuscripts, which have been detached and processed in the meantime, and learn what the music is all about. Students of musicology will also make the music notated on them sound.