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Discover thousands of Victorian images in our 
Before the phonograph, before television, before radio (and needless to say, long before iPods and Mp3), if one wanted music in one's home, one had to make it oneself. Hosting a musical "at home" was a popular social event (if a bit complicated to pull off). The well bred Victorian lady was expected to be able to play at least one instrument, and many gentlemen did as well. Hence, magazines often published music for voice and instruments - especially piano. Pieces were often composed around an existing poem, such as a Shakespearean sonnet. The Girl's Own Paper often published a newly written poem in one issue and then a musical composition based on that poem in a later issue. If you'd like to hear the sound of the Victorian era, just play one of these pieces on your piano or keyboard!