Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

Music at Brodsworth

A visit to Brodsworth Hall this summer will not be silent.

A new innovative installation will feature ‘lost’ instruments to evoke past experiences of what was once a home full of sound. There will be no hushed voices or tiptoeing across carpets – the house will be musical, noisy and lyrical. Visitors will meander from room to room, encountering different sounds, different atmospheres and different feelings.

From 12th July until November we'll be bringing back the spirit of the house.

 

An innovative music installation

The 'Music at Brodsworth' installation is immersive and visitors to Brodsworth will have a unique experience where music is the primary method and mode of experiencing the past. 

The music you will hear was recorded at Brodsworth especially for this exhibition, using sheet music found in the collection. We recorded musicians playing the types of instruments owned by the Thellussons, and selected music which the family would have enjoyed.

Visiting Brodsworth this summer will be a chance to hear stories told through sound. You might overhear a reluctant child learning the piano, a confidant harmonium player practising for sheer joy, or a military music man fondly remembering his time in the British Army. Who is playing? Why are they playing? Where has the music gone?

In 1905 Charles Thellusson leased land to the newly formed Brodsworth Colliery Company. This brought income from rent and royalties on the coal mined, until the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947. Brodsworth Main Colliery became one of the most productive in the country, but was closed in 1992.

A legacy of music

Brodsworth Hall has a long history of local musical events for both charity and leisure. Many of the family members played instruments themselves and today our curatorial team cares for many objects with a connection to music.

This large framed photograph was presented by the Woodlands Village Brass Band as a gift to Brodsworth owners Charles and Constance Thellusson on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary on September 13th, 1910. 

Most band members would have been workers at Brodsworth Colliery. Throughout the 20th century the band had a close connection to the hall and often played during its events. 

Can you help us identify the men in this picture of the Woodlands Village Brass Band? Do you have memories of the band? We want to hear from you! 

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Gallery

Group of 1938 children’s tickets for the Badsworth Hunt Fancy Dress ball

Group of 1938 children’s tickets for the Badsworth Hunt Fancy Dress ball

  • Date: 1938

Group of pink card children’s tickets for the Badsworth Hunt Fancy Dress Ball, held on December 30th 1938 at Brodsworth Hall. The hunt ball was held in the drawing room, for which the furniture was removed and a parquet floor laid. Dancing began at 8.30pm, and children’s tickets could be purchased for 7 shillings and sixpence.



Brodsworth Colliery Band European Championships Concert Tour programme

Brodsworth Colliery Band European Championships Concert Tour programme

This full colour glossy brochure celebrates Brodsworth Colliery Band’s European tour. The contents include a history of the 'Brodsworth Colliery Welfare Band' including a list of musical directors 1909 - 1983, a biography of the 1983 musical director Kenneth Dennison, and biographies of the principal band players. On the reverse is the itinerary of the tour which included various places throughout Belgium and Holland. 



Copper gong drum

Copper gong drum

The 'very large and fine toned Gong, broad rim' with its 'Spanish mahogany stand' were supplied by Lapworths for Charles Sabine Thellusson in 1863. Located in the inner hall to ensure it was heard in as many rooms as possible, the gong has stayed in exactly the same position for over 150 years. It would have been a very familiar sound at Brodsworth, calling the family and their guests to breakfast, lunch and dinner. 



Sheet music for 'Madame Favart', A selection of the popular airs in Offenbach's Opera

Sheet music for 'Madame Favart', A selection of the popular airs in Offenbach's Opera

Arranged for piano, this piece of printed sheet music is inscribed 'S. Thellusson’. It belonged to Sarah, the wife of Herbert Thellusson. Sarah was a keen musician, playing both the piano and harmonium. The folded top right hand corners of the page suggest that the music was played often. Published by J.B Cramer & Co., 201, Regent Street, London in the 1870s.

 



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