Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies

The Center is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Established in 1983 when Ira F. Brilliant donated his Beethoven collection to San José State University, the Center officially opened in September 1985 with a gala co-sponsored by the San Jose Symphony.

Building on Ira Brilliant's original donation, the Center now has the largest collection of Beethoven materials outside of Europe. In addition to functioning as a research library and museum, the Center is involved in a variety of educational programs and sponsors concerts, lectures, tours, and other events. Long-term projects include publication of The Beethoven Journal and development of the Center's online catalog, the Beethoven Gateway. The Center is also the headquarters for the American Beethoven Society.

The Beethoven Center welcomes visitors and researchers and offers a variety of services for those interested in Beethoven who cannot travel to San José.

The Beethoven Center is located in Room 580 in the special collections area on the fifth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.