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From Edison Cylinder to Blu-Ray

Blick in die Ausstellung "Historische Abspielgeräte und Tonträger" des Deutschen Musikarchivs Foto: PUNCTUM / Alexander Schmidt CC-BY-SA 3.0 DE

The exhibition

The German Music Archive’s exhibition at the German National Library is titled “From Edison Cylinder to Blu-Ray” – and this is exactly what it shows. Here you can see Thomas Alva Edison’s earliest sound recordings and the groundbreaking developments made by Emil Berliner. Next we move on to milestones and curiosities found in the music industry: sound recordings in all shapes and colours, and sound reproduction devices ranging from the world’s smallest gramophone to luxury wooden furniture. The sound reproduction equipment available gradually evolved into more compact digital formats and devices that came onto the market at ever shorter intervals and often disappeared just as quickly. We have put together a few highlights for you here.

We also invite you to explore our curated acoustic and visual exhibitions at the listening stations.

Information for your visit

Opening hours and admission

Monday to Saturday, 10 am– 6 pm
Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Admission free

Group tours

You are welcome to book a group tour. Just send an e-mail to:
fuehrungen-dma@dnb.de

More about group tours

Accessibility

Barrier-free access to the exhibition is available.

Address and getting here

German National Library
Deutscher Platz 1
04103 Leipzig

Getting here

We advise you to use public transport.

1 / By public transport

By rail

From the main railway station, take S-Bahn S1 in the direction of Riesa, S2 in the direction of Markkleeberg-Gaschwitz, S3 in the direction of Stötteritz or S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 7 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.

Alternatively, take tram line 16 from platform 2 in front of the main railway station (in the direction of Lößnig) and get off at “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”. Journey time approx. 11 minutes.

By air

From Leipzig/Halle airport, take S-Bahn S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 30 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.

2 / By bike

The German National Library in Leipzig can easily be reached by bike. You can get to the DNB by taking the cycle paths on Straße des 18. Oktobers, Semmelweißstraße, and Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße. A cycle lane also runs past the DNB's main entrance. Numerous bicycle parking spaces are available along this lane and at the main entrance to the German Museum of Books and Writing. The bicycle racks in front of the museum are covered.

Besides taking the cycle lane, you can reach the bicycle parking spaces via a passageway from the junction of Semmelweißstraße/Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße through the DNB's tower courtyard.

3 / By car

Approaching from the north

Take the A9 to the Schkeuditzer Kreuz intersection, continue on the A14 towards Dresden and take the Leipzig-Mitte (city centre) exit; continue on the B2 towards Leipzig city centre as far as the intersection at Prager Straße/Semmelweisstraße (follow the signs for “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”).

Approaching from the south and east

Take the A9 or A14, change to the A38 and continue to the Leipzig-Süd exit; change to the B2 and continue to the Südvorstadt exit; turn right into Kurt-Eisner-Straße and continue to the German National Library.

4 / Accessibility

The German National Library in Leipzig has disabled parking spaces right in front of the building. The entrance for disabled visitors is signposted. The reading rooms and cafeteria are accessible by lift.

Last changes: 08.02.2023
Short-URL: https://www.dnb.de/musicexhibition
Contact: info-dma@dnb.de

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