Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
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5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
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kluelessss
San Jose, CA9 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
This is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. You can see a lock of Beethoven’s hair and learn about his life. It’s amazing to have a connection to Beethoven here.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobertoAguallo
Veracruz, Mexico1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Solo
When in the Public Library. Beautiful space for Beethoven with experts. They have many sculptures, books, pianos, etc. Must visit.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jude
Palo Alto, CA293 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
It’s such a beautiful collection inside the public library, there’s thousands of books, albums, documents, art, etc. The paradise of Beethoven’s world in America. Must visit when in California!
Written 2 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul22luap
San Jose, CA19 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
In the SJ State U 'MLK' Libraray, which is worth visiting anyway, up on 4th floor. If you play piano, you have to visit. Most of the keyboards from Beethoven's day and even earlier, they're here plus a lock of Beethoven's hair, his death mask. Very cool.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDLee98
San Jose, CA23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
I went with my nephew who is a music major. I wanted him to see the items there because of how unique they are. We were surprised by the welcome that the staff member--she totally showed us around, explained the significance of the items, and even played the ancient and replica instruments, all the while regaling us with stories about Beethoven. I thought we'd be there 5 minutes, but an hour flew by before I realized that I was running late for a meeting. The center is a hidden gem, worthy of patronage.
Written 5 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dionysia5
Chicago, IL79 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
I was in town and while looking for things to do on Trip Advisor, I came across this place. It is located in the library on the San Jose State campus on the 5th floor. When arriving, I was immediately greeted and shown around. The docent gave a great demonstration of the keyboard instruments. Then, I was free to look around at my leisure. What a gem of a place! This is a great place to learn more about Beethoven. Do not fear if you do not know much about classical music. The staff is very friendly and will tailor your experience accordingly. What a wonderful center available to us in the United States!
Be sure to check the hours of operation on the website as it is different than the library hours.
Be sure to check the hours of operation on the website as it is different than the library hours.
Written 21 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane H
San Jose, CA27 contributions
Feb 2015
We went to visit this site and were impressed with the things they have of Beethoven's. We were able to sit at a piano and play a tune. And see some of Beethoven's music. It was a fun morning.
Written 16 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA188,173 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is located on the San Jose State University on the 5th floor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library. I enjoyed visiting. It is a one room museum with different pianos and Beethoven History.
Currently they have a special exhibit on Beethoven's Politics, : Two Centuries of Revolution, Wars, Tyrants, Censorship, 1789-1989
The center itself was established in 1983 when Ira Fr. Brilliant donated his Beethoven Collection to San Jose State. Much has been added so now it is the largest collection of Beethoven materials in the western hemisphere,
There is an elevator to take one to the 5th floor. I parked on the street (parking meters) one street over. It takes about an hour to walk and to see the exhibit if one plans to do the same.
Its also best to see their web site on current hours as they are very different than the library hours. The exhibit itself is free. There are other exhibits to see on the same floor if interested such as the exhibits at the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies.
Currently they have a special exhibit on Beethoven's Politics, : Two Centuries of Revolution, Wars, Tyrants, Censorship, 1789-1989
The center itself was established in 1983 when Ira Fr. Brilliant donated his Beethoven Collection to San Jose State. Much has been added so now it is the largest collection of Beethoven materials in the western hemisphere,
There is an elevator to take one to the 5th floor. I parked on the street (parking meters) one street over. It takes about an hour to walk and to see the exhibit if one plans to do the same.
Its also best to see their web site on current hours as they are very different than the library hours. The exhibit itself is free. There are other exhibits to see on the same floor if interested such as the exhibits at the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies.
Written 27 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asterixes
1 contribution
Jul 2014
There is a great collection of Beethoven sketches and manuscripts. The best thing though are the historical keyboards, which the public is allowed to play. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and can teach you no matter your musical background.
Written 2 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SacTomato
Sacramento11 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Who would have known this was here? The Beethoven Center is located on the fifth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. library in downtown San Jose. The library is a collaboration of San Jose State University and the San Jose Library. The center was established in 1983 when Ira F. Brilliant donated his collection of Beethoven memorabilia to San Jose State University. There are 4 historical keyboard instruments (a replica can be played by visitors) and free mini concert and presentation are given on some Wednesday afternoons from 2 until 2:30. There are art works related to Beethoven, a lock of Beethoven's hair, a life mask, a death mask, and group visits (we were all adults) with a tour guide would be optimal. It is not a stuffy museum, but approachable for classical music novices and is free.
Written 13 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingIRA F. BRILLIANT CENTER FOR BEETHOVEN STUDIES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
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