Beethoven museum in Bonn gets a new lease of life

02:59

You might miss it altogether if it wasn't for the signs.

Beyond the pink facade with green shutters in Bonn, Germany, lies the largest Beethoven collection in the world.

At the back, the narrow, baroque style home is where Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770. It has long been a museum, but it recently underwent a six month, $4 million renovation.

The space has been completely redesigned. It no longer flows in chronological order but is instead guided by themes meant to offer a fuller, more realistic portrayal of the composer.

There is a collection of paintings from Beethoven's time, explained Beethoven Museum Director Nicole Kampken.

But hanging beside these centuries-old paintings are mirrored boxes which flash up words Beethoven's contemporaries used to describe him.

They're often not the kindest. Grumpy. Unattractive. Puck-faced.

"That's everything that people said about him," said Kampken. "We really want to explain to people what Beethoven was really like."

The multi-level exhibition includes many of Beethoven's instruments, including his personal piano. Musical scores, with the composer's corrections etched in the margins, give visitors a window into the mind of this musical genius

Kampken believes Beethoven's creative risk-taking has allowed him to withstand the test of time in a way few musicians have.

"You can see it in many works. He changed the movement of the string quartet at the end. Or he tried to get nature into music with The Pastoral Symphony."

Despite becoming deaf later in life, Beethoven was a composer until the very end, something which still resonates with fans.

"I think being dedicated to music through his entire life, right up to the very last moment of his death is what makes him one of the greatest," said Joanna Jeong who was visiting the museum with her family.

Eleven-year-old Cavel Leong from Australia plays some of Beethoven's works on the piano. He said he likes the speed at which they move.

"He's written music which can go through the future - music is like a language," said Leong.

The Beethoven museum's reopening is one of more than 700 events planned across Germany in the run-up to Beethoven's 250th birthday next December.

Concerts, tributes, even an AI project to complete his unfinished 10th symphony, are all planned as Germany and the world celebrate a musical hero.

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