Research at the Brahms-Institut
A Center of Expertise and Documentation
In terms of Brahms research around the world, the Brahms-Institut is an important center of expertise, housing extensive archival material. The Brahms-Institut collects and preserves material on the composer’s life, on his work, his world, and his impact on music history. The collection has been the basis for wide reaching research: foundational work like the Brahms-Briefwechselverzeichnis (BBV) and individual projects on special areas of Brahms research. Beside their own research VR, the Brahms-Institut also supports external projects like the Neue Brahms Gesamtausgabe, which is located at Musikwissenschaftliches Institut at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel. In addition, dissertations are researched and written at the Brahms-Institut that are closely based on the source material in the collection. Research areas also result from the respective exhibition subjects and annual conferences (and in cooperation with the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival).
Research activity is reflected in the numerous publications of the institution: the exhibition catalogues and conference volumes, handbooks, various facsimile editions, and individual essays on research issues dealing with Johannes Brahms and his circle.