Brahms-Institut acquires historic postcard collection of Theodor Kirchner

The Brahms-Institut at the Lübeck Music University (MHL) has acquired a valuable collection of 23 postcards from the 1870s and 1880s. Previously held in private ownership, the collection provides new insights into the private life of pianist and composer Theodor Kirchner (1823–1903), a close associate of Johannes Brahms.

The correspondence consists of messages written by Kirchner to his brother, Otto, between 1875 and 1883. The letters detail family matters and practical aspects of daily and musical life, including assistance with finding housing, advice on selecting a Bechstein instrument in Berlin, and requests for sketching composition title pages.

The acquisition was made possible through financial support from the Gemeinnützige Sparkassenstiftung and the Verein zur Förderung des Brahms-Instituts, which each covered one-third of the costs. These postcards complement the institute's existing Kirchner holdings, which include musical autographs, sketches, and various life documents.