Composers Quarter, Hamburg

The Composers’ Quarter occupies a row of historic-looking brick houses along pedestrianized Peterstraße, between Saint Michael’s Church and the Museum of Hamburg History. As you approach, look for the signs on the houses numbered 29 to 39. Most of this picturesque ensemble was reconstructed using historic Hamburg buildings. Inside, the exhibition rooms connect with one another, making it easy to move from one composer to the next.

Begin with the Georg Philipp Telemann Museum, in the first rooms at number 29. This was not actually Telemann’s former home, but the exhibition recreates aspects of his life and work in Hamburg. Inside, look for the stylized church pew, referring to Telemann’s role as Hamburg’s Director of Music. Displays also explore his interest in botany and gardening.

Continue into the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Museum. Look for the room arranged to suggest Bach’s living space, with period furnishings and keyboard-related displays. Bach, one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s sons, succeeded Telemann as Music Director in Hamburg in 1768. Interactive exhibits introduce his compositions and expressive musical style.

Next is the Johann Adolf Hasse Museum. One of its easiest exhibits to identify is the working model of a Baroque opera stage, showing how scenery and stage machinery worked. Displays also introduce Hasse’s operas and his wife, the celebrated soprano Faustina Bordoni.

Continue to the Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn Museum. Look for displays presenting the brother and sister together, along with a period keyboard instrument. The exhibition compares their very different careers and explores their family background, Jewish heritage, education, and musical lives.

The Gustav Mahler Museum focuses on Mahler’s years in Hamburg from 1891 to 1897. There, you can see the large Steinway-Welte reproducing piano, designed to replay performances recorded on piano rolls. Exhibits explore Mahler’s work as both conductor and composer.

Finally, head to the Johannes Brahms Museum at number 39. This section feels noticeably different because it occupies the surviving 1751 merchant’s house. Near the entrance, check out portions of the original painted ceiling, then follow the historic staircase to the upper exhibition areas. The stairs are steep, and there is no lift, so take care as you climb. The highlight is a restored square piano associated with Brahms. Also on display are the photographs, documents, portraits, and other objects tracing his Hamburg childhood years and his later career in Vienna.