homeThe Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
What is the Center for Beethoven Studies?
The Center is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Established in 1983, the Center officially opened at San Jose State University in September 1985 with a gala co-sponsored by the San Jose Symphony. The Center now has the largest collection of Beethoven materials outside of Europe. In addition to functioning as a research library, the Center is involved in a variety of educational programs and projects and sponsors concerts, lectures, tours, and other programs.
How did the Beethoven Center find its way to San Jose?
A real estate developer in Phoenix, Arizona named Ira F. Brilliant donated his extensive collection of 75 first editions of Beethoven's music to San Jose State University to form the basis of a library and study center devoted to Beethoven's music and humanitarian accomplishments. In May 1983 Ira and Irma Brilliant met with Dean Arlene Okerlund to discuss Ira's proposal to donate his rich collection to the University. Dean Okerlund and music librarian Barbara Jeskalian flew to Phoenix to inspect the collection in person, and after hearing their report, President Gail Fullerton gave her blessing to the new enterprise. A press conference on November 16, 1983 announced the creation of the first center in North America devoted solely to Beethoven. The University appointed a professor from the History Department, Tom Wendel, to serve as the acting director until a permanent director could be found because of his many ties and contacts with San Jose's arts community. An executive board was formed for the 1983-84 academic year, and the board met to plan the Center's activities and hire its founding director. After a two-year search, the University offered William Meredith, newly graduated PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the position, and the Center opened to the public that September. The Center's primary mission is to "celebrate the ideals and achievements of Ludwig van Beethoven."
Photo gallery on the beginnings of the Beethoven Center
Ira Brilliant discusses his plans with librarian Barbara Jeskalian and Dean Arlene Okerlund at his home in May 1983
The establishment of the "Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies" at San José State University is announced at a press conference on November 16, 1983
(pictured from left to right: University President Gail Fullerton, Ira and Irma Brilliant, Dean Arlene Okerlund)
Founding members of the board
(Clockwise from front: Gail Fullerton, Irma Brilliant, Shirley Lewis, ..., Tom Wendel, Arlene Okerlund, Ira Brilliant)
Founding members of the board
(front row: Irma Brilliant, Gail Fullerton; middle row: Shirley Lewis, Ira Brilliant, Robert Brilliant; back row: ..., Arlene Okerlund)
Please select from the following menu for more information about the Beethoven Center:
© The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
San José State University