Music Museums in Germany

Robert Schumann House Zwickau

Hauptmarkt 5
08056 Zwickau

Phone +49.375.834406 (Museumskasse)
or +49.375.834401

Web: www.schumann-zwickau.de
E-Mail: schumannhaus@zwickau.de

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Behind its reconstructed facade, the house on the corner at Hauptmarkt 5 houses the largest Schumann collection in the world with more than 4,000 original manuscripts of Robert Schumann (1810-1856) and his wife, the pianist Clara, maiden name Wieck (1819-1896). His father, August Schumann, who was successful as the inventor of the pocket-book, had a book store and publishing shop in this house. A large part of his publishing stock can be admired in the exhibition rooms. The permanent exhibition embracing a total of eight rooms displays valuable illustrations, musical instruments, prints, manuscripts and memorabilia. The room in which Robert Schumann was born is furnished today as a commemorative room complete with historical furniture from the property of Robert and Clara Schumann, including as the special center piece the Viennese Stein grand piano, on which Clara Schumann gave her concert debut at age nine in 1828 in the Gewandhaus concert hall in Leipzig. In the past, this instrument adorned the 100 DM bill. Guided tours are possible in five languages, and guided tours are also offered on special topics and especially for childrens' groups. The foyer of the ground floor presents temporary special exhibitions; furthermore, the museum shop and a chamber music hall with 140 seats for concerts, lecture evenings, and symposia are located there.

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.