Museum of Fine Arts - Beethoven

Although he only visited Leipzig once as an aspiring young pianist and composer, Beethoven had close ties to Leipzig. An important part of his works were published in Leipzig, first by the "Bureau de Musique" (later CF Peters), founded in 1800, and then by the oldest music publisher in the world, Breitkopf & Härtel (Notenspur Station 8).

In 1801, the publisher Härtel approached Beethoven and offered the promising composer the first print of new works. In 1802/1803, they began working together for the first time. Three of Beethoven's works were premiered in Leipzig:

• November 1796: Soprano aria in the Old Theater (music sheet station 2) 
• February 1808: Triple Concerto in the First Gewandhaus (Notenspur Station 21)
• November 1811: 5th Piano Concerto in the First Gewandhaus 

Since the historic building of the Breitkopf & Härtel publishing house was destroyed in the Second World War, an art venue has been dedicated to Beethoven on the music trail: the Museum of Fine Arts (MdbK for short). One of the world's most important music-related works of fine art is exhibited here: Klinger's Beethoven sculpture. The artist Max Klinger (1857-1920) worked on the 3,1-meter-high work of art for seven years. It is one of the main works of symbolism. Beethoven is depicted as a musical titan, to whom even the eagle looks up in awe. Inaccessible and undeterred, he follows his path, trusting only in his inspiration.