Brahms-Institut an der Musikhochschule Lübeck
Johannes Brahms research center in the Neoclassical Villa Brahms, with a museum room, manuscripts, letters and listening stations.
About the museum
The Brahms-Institut was established in 1991 when the Hofmann collection, the world's largest private Brahms collection, was acquired for Lübeck. It is affiliated with the Musikhochschule Lübeck (Lübeck University of Music) as an associated institute and combines collection, research and outreach; until 2024 it was directed by Wolfgang Sandberger.
In summer 2002 the institute moved into the Villa Brahms, the former Villa Eschenburg on the Jerusalemsberg outside the Burgtor gate. Built around 1800 by Christian Frederik Hansen, the country house is regarded as an example of North German–Danish Neoclassicism and had previously been restored in line with heritage standards after a fire in 1998.
Since January 2004 the institute has shown changing exhibitions in the historic garden hall, beginning with "Johannes Brahms – Zeichen, Bilder, Phantasien", a cross-section of the collection featuring manuscripts, letters, photographs and sheets from Max Klinger's "Brahms-Phantasie". At listening stations, visitors can follow the music alongside the manuscript. In 2008 a room with a reconstruction of Brahms's Vienna music room was added. The collection extends beyond Brahms to the circle around Robert and Clara Schumann and Joseph Joachim. In 2026 the institute joined the Museumsverband Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg.
Highlights
- Autograph manuscript of the fifth movement of "A German Requiem"
- Reconstruction of Brahms's Vienna music room
- Sheets from Max Klinger's "Brahms-Phantasie"
- Listening stations for reading and listening along with the manuscripts
- Neoclassical villa by Christian Frederik Hansen
Permanent exhibitions
- Johannes Brahms – Zeichen, Bilder, Phantasien – A cross-section of the collection in eight sections with music manuscripts, letters, photographs and concert programs, complemented by listening stations; on view in 2026 from February 4 to December 12.
- Brahms’ Musikzimmer – Photographically documented reconstruction of the music room from Brahms's Vienna apartment on Karlsgasse, an example of middle-class domestic culture around 1890.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Musikhochschule Lübeck
- Director
- Teresa Cäcilia Ramming (kommissarisch)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| "Musik im Museum" concert series | €8€8 or €11, no concessions |
|---|
Free admission to the exhibition (according to the Musikhochschule's events calendar).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | no |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Four listening stations in the exhibition. Concerts, lectures and themed evenings in the villa's ballroom. The collection is also accessible digitally via the Brahms-Portal. |
