The Beethoven-Haus mourns the loss of Hans Gerd Klais

Hans Gerd Klais, one of the most prominent organ builders of the post-war period and a long-standing member of the board of the Beethoven-Haus Association, passed away on 11 June 2026 at the age of 95 following a long and serious illness.

He was born on 2 December 1930 in Bonn, the grandson of Johannes Klais, founder of the Johannes Klais Bonn organ-building workshop. In 1953, he joined the management of the family business, founded in 1882, which he took over entirely following the death of his father, Hans Klais, in 1965. In 1995, he handed over the management of the business to his son, Philipp Klais.

Hans Gerd Klais was first elected to the board of the Beethoven-Haus Bonn in 1973. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of his father, who had been a member of the board from 1948 until his death in 1965. During his four-decade tenure, Hans Gerd Klais played a decisive role in shaping the development of the Beethoven-Haus. Drawing on his professional expertise, entrepreneurial vision and networks, he championed, amongst other things, modern organisational structures, increases in institutional funding and specific projects. Of particular note is the most recent restoration of the organ console from the Remigiuskirche, which had been damaged in 1960 during an arson attack on the ‘Bonner Zimmer’ at the Beethoven-Haus.

In 2013, his son Philipp Klais succeeded him on the board of the Beethoven-Haus and has since continued the organ-building family’s commitment to the Beethoven-Haus into its third generation. Hans Gerd Klais remained closely connected to the Beethoven-Haus. His humorous and charismatic personality remains vividly in our memories. With deep gratitude for his services, the Beethoven-Haus will always honour the memory of Hans Gerd Klais.