Collection Highlights
![]() |
Original Beethoven manuscripts and documentsIncludes 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 timeIncludes copyists’ scores used for performance and study of his music before printed editions were available. |
![]() |
First editions of Beethoven's musicThe 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 contemporariesIncludes 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. |
![]() |
Historical keyboard instrumentsIncludes two original fortepianos from Beethoven's time, and playable replica of a Dulcken fortepiano, a clavichord, and a harpsichord. |
![]() |
BooksIncludes 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. |
Special CollectionsAmong others, includes 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.
|
|
![]() |
Archives and ephemeraIncludes newspaper clippings, photographs, postcards, posters, and other merchandise using Beethoven's image or music in their design. |
ArticlesA photocopy archive of articles on Beethoven published in both music and non-music journals. |
|
Microfilms and photocopiesBeethoven'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. |
|
![]() |
MediaA growing library of sound recordings and videos, including The Blakeley Collection. |
![]() |
Art that portrays Beethoven, Vienna, and his timesIncludes engravings and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries. |