Wednesday, October 04, 2006

The Famous Musical Stones of Skiddaw



Constructed between 1827 and 1840 by Keswick stonemason Joseph Richardson out of special 'hornfels' slate, the Musical Stones of Skiddaw were made famous throughout Britain and Europe in the Victorian period. They were played expertly by Joseph and his three sons and they performed with the instrument front of Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace three times in 1848. They instrument has been kept at Keswick Museum and Art Gallery since 1914 and any visitor can walk in and play them. In the last two years they have been taken out out tour again for special concerts.

Click here for the wikipedia entry on the Musical Stones.

Below is a video of a live performance featuring the Musical Stones at Leeds.

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