Hidden Depths of Musical Instruments Revealed in Artist’s Striking Photography

February 11, 2022, 1:54 p.m. | Updated: February 11, 2022, 3:29 PM

Photographer Charles Brooks invites us to discover the inner workings of our musical instruments…

Musical instruments are often considered beautiful; from century-old violins to new gold-lacquered saxophones, they are often a work of art in their own right.

But have you ever wondered what the inside of your instrument looks like? Perhaps you looked into a space between the strings, or the pads, only to encounter darkness.

Now, as part of New Zealand photographer Charles Brooks’ “Architecture of Music” series, we get a rare glimpse into the inner workings of our melodious tools.

Brooks, a talented orchestral cellist who has performed with Lang Lang and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, uses his knowledge of music to create these intimate portraits of instruments.

Using between dozens and hundreds of individual frames to create each photo, Brooks creates the illusion of space in his photos, “tricking the mind into thinking it’s seeing a vast room that you can walk through.”

Read more: 23 Historic Photographs of Classical Composers Doing Incredibly Normal Things

1. Lockey Hill cello circa 1780

   The interior of a rare Lockey Hill cello from around 1780. Photographed being restored at the Stringed Instrument Company in Auckland, New Zealand.

   

2. The exquisite architecture of Steinway

   The action of a Steinway Model D grand piano. Photographed at Lewis Eady’s in Auckland.

   

   

   

3. 14 karat gold flute interior

   The inside of a 14k rose gold Burkart Elite flute. Photographed being restored at Neige Music Atelier in New Zealand.

   

4. 1940s Selmer Balanced Action Saxophone

   The interior of a 1940s Selmer Balanced Action Saxophone owned by famed New Zealand saxophonist Dr. Roger Manins. Photographed during restoration at Neige Music Atelier.

   

5. Fazioli grand piano

   The sublime action of a Fazioli grand piano. Photographed at Sly’s Pianos, Auckland.

   

   

6. Australian didgeridoo

   A unique view inside an Australian didgeridoo by Trevor Gillespie/Peckham (Bungerroo) of New South Wales.

   

7. Kawai grand piano

   The Millennium III action of a Kawai grand piano, KBB Music, Auckland.

   

   

Find out more in Charles Brooks’ Architecture in Music series on his site.