The componium… an instrument which improvises endlessly!
And the only remaining one is here, at the Museum of Musical Instruments.
This componium was built in 1821, by Winkel, who was also the inventor of the famous metronome.
This complex instrument is equipped with a true clock mechanism. In fact, during that era, the makers of this type of instruments were also clockmakers. To start with, the componium is designed like an orchestrion or fair-ground organ, with barrels typical of the time period: he includes flutes, trumpets and drums, in order to create a full orchestra all on its own.
However, Winkel added an extra mechanism to this rather common mystery, allowing for random play. The result: in theory, the componium can spin infinitely for millions of years without playing the same tune twice.
To discover the kind of music it produces, you can find computer simulations: it’s rather surprising, to say the least!
Copyright: All rights reserved
Address: hofberg 2, 1000 Brussels
Statistics
Select one of the most popular activities below or refine your search.
Discover the most beautiful and popular trails in the area, carefully bundled into appropriate selections.
Select one of the most popular categories below or be inspired by our selections.
Discover the most beautiful and popular attractions in the area, carefully bundled in appropriate selections.
With RouteYou, it's easy to create your own customised maps. Simply plot your route, add waypoints or nodes, add places of interest and places to eat and drink, and then easily share it with your family and friends.
Route planner
<iframe src="https://plugin.routeyou.com/poiviewer/free/?language=en&params.poi.id=755177" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
More than 11,800,000 routes
More than 15,000,000 users
More than 4,500,000 points of interest
Kerkstraat 108
9050 Gentbrugge, Belgium
© 2006-2026 RouteYou - www.routeyou.com
| | Public | 
