Exhibit | Capturing the intangible: the story of music notation

From Babylonian cuneiform tablature to experimental graphic notation, musicians have continuously invented new ways of representing sound in a visual medium. Each form of notation captures different aspects of music and engages with the work in diverse ways - as a mnemonic device, as a strict surrogate, or even as a playful companion.

“Capturing the intangible: the story of music notation” showcases various types of notation selected from the Music Library's collection of books and scores, with examples ranging from medieval manuscripts to current-day music notation software.

These representations of music tell a story on and off the page, bearing witness not only to the history of music printing and publishing, but also of the evolution of conceptual thought translated into written form.

Come by the Library to see the exhibit, located outside the main doors of the Library on the 3rd floor, with additional materials located just inside. 

Opening hours