The Georg Philipp Telemann museum at the KQ

"director musices" for more than four decades

Georg Philipp Telemann was one of the most respected and creative musicians of the 18th century – an exceptionally inventive composer with an overwhelming creative energy. When he became music director of the City of Hamburg in 1721, he was already one of the most famous composers in Europe. For almost 46 years, this versatile artist shaped the city’s musical life. The KQ presents Telemann not only as a musician and composer, but also as a music engraver, publisher and enthusiastic amateur gardener. 

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The Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach museum at the KQ

The "Hamburg Bach"

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach is the most famous and, in terms of music history, the most significant of Johann Sebastian Bach’s sons. Following the death of his godfather Telemann, he succeeded him as director of church music and shaped Hamburg’s musical life for more than twenty years. He composed music in various genres, which is still regarded today as an expression of emotion with a personal character, strong contrasts, surprising effects and a musical language that was modern for its time.  With a stylised glimpse into Bach’s living room, the KQ invites you to immerse yourself in his concept of the free piano fantasia and the ‘sensitive style’ he developed. 

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The Johann Adolf Hasse museum at the KQ

A unique artistic marriage of the Baroque era

‘I want to become immortal like Hasse’ – so wrote none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in his younger years. Johann Adolf Hasse is regarded as the most influential German opera composer on the cusp of the early Classical period, whilst also being highly accomplished in church and chamber music. The KQ presents Hasse in his congenial artistic partnership with the celebrated singer Faustina Bordoni, retraces their travels together and, using a fully functional opera model, offers insights into the brilliance of Baroque opera. 

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The Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn museum at the KQ

One cradle, two paths, one grave

The siblings Fanny Hensel and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, children of a Jewish family, were both highly gifted musicians. The KQ contrasts the siblings’ life stories in a mirrored narrative, highlighting their differences and parallels: both were outstanding musicians and creative composers. Fanny, however, was confined to her gendered role, whilst Felix was celebrated as a child prodigy and made an international career for as a pianist and a composer.

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The Johannes Brahms museum at the KQ

Perhaps Hamburg's greatest son

Johannes Brahms’ life took him from Hamburg’s ‘Gängeviertel’ to the musical capital of Vienna. An exciting journey through the 19th century, reflected in the unmistakable style and supreme compositional mastery of his diverse body of work.

At the KQ – situated very close to Brahms’s (now demolished) birthplace – visitors can trace the stages of his life through a diverse collection of musical artefacts, documents and exhibits. A recurring theme is the fact that Brahms’s ties to his hometown of Hamburg never broke, even during his time in Vienna.

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The Gustav Mahler museum at the KQ

Early years at the Hamburg Opera

Gustav Mahler spent six years in Hamburg, where he made a name for himself primarily as an opera conductor before going on to become an internationally acclaimed composer. He is regarded as a pioneering composer of the modern era. This brilliant artist combines a productive spirit with a critical one in an extraordinary way.

The KQ showcases the artist’s seemingly tireless daily work routine and his broad intellectual horizons. In doing so, it reveals both his enthusiasm for technical innovations and Mahler’s extensive network of connections in the city of Hamburg – and far beyond. 

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KQjunior - for first readers (and musicians)

Young visitors are also warmly invited to explore the KQ on their own via the ‘Children's corner’ - a media path of their own throughout the museums. And who knows – perhaps the first tune they create at our "KQ wonder machine"  will mark the start of their own journey into the world of music?

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