What We Do

The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at San José State University is an extensive library and museum devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

The Center is involved in a variety of educational programs and sponsors concerts, lectures, tours, and other events. Long-term projects include publications (such as The Beethoven Journal and The Beethoven Newsletter) and development of the Center's online catalog, the Beethoven Gateway. The Center is also the headquarters for the American Beethoven Society.

The Beethoven Center welcomes visitors and researchers and offers a variety of services for those interested in Beethoven who cannot travel to San José.

History

A real estate developer in Phoenix, Arizona named Ira F. Brilliant donated his collection of 75 first editions of Beethoven's music to San José State University to form the basis of a library and study center devoted to Beethoven's music and humanitarian accomplishments.

The Center officially opened in September 1985 with a gala co-sponsored by the San José Symphony. Building on Ira Brilliant's original donation, the Center now has the largest collection of Beethoven materials outside of Europe.