About Us

The Society’s primary work is the creation and support of a comprehensive collection of Beethoven materials at the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies which is housed at San Jose State University, San Jose, California. The Center is the largest research institution in the Americas devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven. Today the collection contains more 31,000 items, including more than 360 first editions and 3,500 early editions of Beethoven’s musical scores, some original Beethoven manuscripts, a large collection of Beethoven-related books, sculpture and artwork, and sound and visual media, and Beethoven realia (including 2 locks of his hair and one of his shirts).

The Society copublishes a semi-annual Beethoven Newsletter, in addition to the Beethoven Journal, which is now in an online format only. The Society also sponsors regular New Beethoven Research Conference and supports a research award for early-career scholars. The Society helps support the Beethoven Gateway, an online research tool and gateway to the Beethoven Center’s digital resources. The Society collaborates with the Center on special events, exhibits, and other activities.