The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies

Here are some photos from our April 25th, 2026 Beethoven Ball. The night was filled with music, dancing, and great fun!

Join the Beethoven Center for our last event of the semester. We will be screening A Theater for a Symphony followed by a discussion with Professor Birgit Lodes (Vienna/Stanford). This film by director Barbara Weissenbeck returns to the site of the world premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony: Vienna’s historic Kärntnertortheater (demolished in 1873/74 and later replaced by the Hotel Sacher). The film documents the detective-style work of virtually recreating the theater by a team of architects, animators, and electroacousticians, and commentary by Birgit Lodes and other traces of the symphony’s genesis and the chaotic leadup to the long awaited premiere on 7 May 1824. The film is approximately 50 minutes followed by a reception and open-house until 6 pm.

All are welcome! Free entry, no registration required.

Join us at the Beethoven Center on Thursday, May 7 at noon and hear Yeonglee Kim (violin) and Akira Kaku (piano) play Beethoven: Romance No. 2; Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8; and Amy Beach: Romance. There will be coffee and desserts following the concert. This is a free event open to all. We hope to see you there!

This is your last chance to grab your tickets to our 2026 Beethoven Ball! Check out this article to learn more:

SJSU’s Beethoven Center boasts amazing collection, hosts Regency era ball - Local News Matters The Beethoven Center at San Jose State University, boasting the world’s second largest collection of items related to

The 2026 Beethoven Ball is fast approaching on Saturday, April 25 at 7 pm at the San Jose Woman's Club. Get your tickets now at: https://hammertheatre.vbotickets.com/event/SJSU_Ira_F_Brilliant_Center_for_Beethoven_Studies_presents_Beethoven_Ball_2026/181425

We hope to see you there!

Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies Beethoven Ball 2026

Come and dance the waltzes and contradances of the early nineteenth century Viennese ballroom to the music of Beethoven and his contemporaries! Taking place in the lovely ballroom of the San Jose Woman’s Club, the Beethoven Ball features live music from the SJSU Symphony Orchestra directed by Gordon Haramaki, with dance and commedia dell'arte pantomime performances from vintage dance groups Dance Through Time and The Academy of Danse Libre. Ball dances will include contradances reconstructed from nineteenth-century sources by Joan Walton. No previous dance experience is necessary to participate. Come in your dressy attire: Regency period costume encouraged!

To purchase tickets, click on this link: https://hammertheatre.vbotickets.com/event/SJSU_Ira_F_Brilliant_Center_for_Beethoven_Studies_presents_Beethoven_Ball_2026/181425

Its that time again! April 9th, 2026 at the Beethoven Center we are hosting our monthly Noontime Concert. Featuring talented pianist Theodora Serbanescu-Martin. Event is free for all, we hope to see you there!
Details: Starts at Noon https://www.sjsu.edu/beethoven/events/upcoming-events.php

New scholarship in the spotlight! The Beethoven Journal is proud to announce the publication of its latest issue, Volume 37. The Beethoven Journal is peer-reviewed, open access, and packed with innovative research, reviews & more! Access your copy now at https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/beethovenjournal/

We have some very special guests at this week's Noontime Concert!
Musicologist Birgit Lodes (University of Vienna/Stanford) will present a lecture on Beethoven's song cycle An die ferne Geliebte, op. 98, followed by a performance of the work by Christine Brandes together with fortepianist (and Beethoven scholar) Nicholas Mathew. This Thursday, Oct 30, 12:00.
Details: https://www.sjsu.edu/beethoven/events/upcoming-events.php

Lunchtime is going classical! The Verve Trio will take the Beethoven Center stage this Thursday on Oct 2nd at Noon, performing Beethoven's "Archduke" Trio. Stay for coffee & open-house afterward!
Details: https://www.sjsu.edu/beethoven/events/upcoming-events.php