Music Museums in Germany

Heinrich Schuetz House Weissenfels

Weißenfelser Musikverein „Heinrich Schütz“ e. V.
Nicolaistraße 13
06667 Weißenfels

Phone +49.3443.302835
Fax +49.3443.337063

Web: www.schuetzhaus-weissenfels.de
E-Mail info@schuetzhaus-weissenfels.de

Opening hours

Tuesday to Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Holidays
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

closed on January 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st

The Heinrich Schuetz House in Weissenfels is the only originally preserved residential house of the composer, who spent his twighlight years here from 1657 to 1672. The exhibition conveys in an historical atmosphere the social and creative work environment of Heinrich Schuetz, who grew up as a child in Weissenfels and whose important late work occurred here. Valuable original prints as well as a sheet music fragment found in the house in the hand of the composer are part of the exhibit. Historical musical instruments can also be audibly experienced in a listening station. A part of the exhibition is devoted to the music in the Weissenfels Ducal Court and to the works of Krieger, Beer, Bach, and Handel. Regular concerts and pedagogical museum programs are part of the annual program. The Central German Heinrich Schuetz Days (Sept./Oct.) are the high point of the year.

Germany possesses musical traditions and legacies of extraordinary value: Handel, Schuetz and Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Wagner - to mention only a few names - are composers who are known and treasured throughout the world. Their work has played a significant role in shaping a unique musical landscape.

Numerous orchestras, choruses, ensembles, renowned music festivals and series, music houses with museums, public archives and libraries, but also private collections preserve their musical heritage.

It is necessary to revitalize this inestimable fund again and again and to develop it for the present. At the same time, an important role befits the houses combined in the consortium of music museums of Germany. In them we encounter the work of the musicians and composers who have extraordinarily enriched the cultural nation of Germany. However, beyond the individual portrait, beyond the procurement of individual oeuvres, the music museums also contribute overall to the maintenance of musical tradition. The present brochure underscores this aspect of the synoptic presentation and invites the reader on a journey into the musical history of Germany. I hope this tour guide will be actively used and receive a large response.

Bernd Neumann, Member of the Lower House of the German Parliament
Minister of State with the Federal Chancellor
Commissioner of the Federal Government for Culture and Media

Quoted from: Foreword to the brochure "Music Museums in Germany", 2007.