Beethoven-Haus at the digital ITB Berlin

Beethoven-Haus Bonn remains a highlight for tourists in Germany well after the Beethoven anniversary year

In December 2019, shortly before the Beethoven anniversary year 2020 began, the museum at Beethoven's birthplace was reopened, featuring new rooms and a completely redesigned permanent exhibition. On the first days after its reopening, the Beethoven-Haus was virtually flooded with people. On the Open House day on December 17, 2019, the museum counted more than 1,000 visitors. The huge public interest continued over the first two months of the anniversary year until the Corona pandemic forced the Beethoven-Haus to close, too. Until the end of February 2020 over 20,000 Beethoven friends had visited the museum. For sure, the new Beethoven-Haus will remain a site of particular interest for tourists visiting Germany and the Rhineland, because due to the Corona restrictions not a lot of visitors from Germany and abroad have been able to see the new presentation so far.

Offering an informative and emotional access to more than 150 original exhibits from the world-known collection, such as original manuscripts, instruments, daily-life items, Beethoven's ear trumpets as well as portraits, the new exhibition invites visitors to explore it. Among the new additions are a music room for regular performances on historic keyboard instruments, films and lectures as well as rooms featuring audiovisual presentations. With original manuscripts from Beethoven on display, the new treasure chamber is a real highlight. A modern museum shop and a lecture room used for introductions and workshops are located across the street.

Temporary exhibitions on special topics

From June 2 to October 3, 2021, the „Zündstoff Beethoven” (Contemporary Beethoven) exhibition will take place at the museum's new special exhibitions area. Original documents from the world-famous Swiss Paul Sacher Foundation show Beethoven's impact on contemporary composers. Later on, October 16, 2021 to January 16, 2022, the project "Das begehbare Ensemble" (The approachable ensemble) will invite the audience to experience firsthand how an orchestra works. From February 3, 2022, onwards coins minted in memory of Beethoven can be admired during the exhibition "Beethoven in der Medaillenkunst" (Beethoven as a subject in medal art).

Concerts at the chamber music hall

All year round, the museum's offering is complemented by musical events held at the chamber music hall located in direct vicinity to Beethoven's birthplace.

Throughout the summer months (every Tuesday between June 26 and July 27, 2021) the “Piano Summer: Building Bridges" event will introduce to the public junior pianists selected for this series by the renowned Hungarian pianist Sir András Schiff.

Another summer event taking place from July 7 to 11, 2021 is the 11th International Beethoven Master Class under the direction of Daniel Müller-Schott, currently one of the world's distinguished cellists. He will teach promising junior cello players whom he invited to attend the course. The classes are open to the public, so anybody interested in music can attend and watch master and students during the class. At the end of the course, the participants will give a concert (July 11).

Early in summer 2022, the BTHVN WEEK will take place, a chamber music festival that since 2021 has been under the artistic direction of world-famous violinist Daniel Hope (June 1 to 4, 2022). Since the beginning of 2020, Daniel Hope is also President of the Beethoven-Haus.

The concert season between September 2021 and June 2022 will furthermore bring outstanding musicians to the chamber music hall. As such, a visit to the museum and a classic concert in the evening to complete a day spent with Beethoven make a lovely combination.