Collection Highlights
Original Beethoven manuscripts and documents
Includes a musical sketch leaf entirely in Beethoven's hand, several letters, a leaf
from a household account books, and J. C. Bach edition from Beethoven's library.
Other manuscripts from Beethoven's time
Includes copyists’ scores used for performance and study of his music before printed
editions were available.
First editions of Beethoven's music
The largest collection in North America, including an early printing (probably a proof
copy) of the Piano Sonatas, Opus 2, nos. 1-3 from 1796
Other editions of Beethoven's music and his contemporaries
Includes early editions of individual works by publishers in Paris and London and
collected editions from the 19th and 20th centuries. Of a small score collection of
music by Beethoven's contemporaries, Daniel Steibelt is particularly well-represented.
Books
Includes rare books and periodicals; biographies and scholarly monographs; collections
of essays and conference papers, master's theses and doctoral dissertations; fiction,
drama, and poetry; children's books; and much more.
The William S. Newman Collection
Encompasses the library of Beethoven books and scores of renowned Beethoven scholar William S. Newman, musicologist and emeritus professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of Beethoven on Beethoven.
Historical keyboard instruments
Includes two original fortepianos from Beethoven's time, and playable replica of a
Dulcken fortepiano, a clavichord, and a harpsichord.
Articles
A photocopy archive of articles on Beethoven published in both music and non-music journals.
Microfilms and photocopies
Beethoven's sketches and autographs owned by other libraries, available for study at the Center, including the complete collection of Beethoven manuscripts located at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
Media
A growing library of sound recordings and videos, including The Blakeley Collection.
Art that portrays Beethoven, Vienna, and his times
Includes engravings and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Archives and ephemera
Includes newspaper clippings, photographs, postcards, posters, and other merchandise
using Beethoven's image or music in their design.