Access to the music collection and contact

The music collection, consisting of the music archive and music library, is also located in the library. Access and contact are regulated as in the library.

Before your visit, you can select the desired media in the online catalog and register as a user.

The reorganization of the music collection

The music collection was comprehensively reorganized between 2010 and 2017. Taking the following steps:

• Sorting and cleaning: Removal of dust particles, rusty paper clips.
• Relocation of documents that have been handed down as single sheets in acid-free archive boxes, folders and envelopes.
• Reorganization of the collection: separation of the collection into the sub-collections music archive and music library
• Indexing / cataloging via database
• Opening up to the outside world: Access to catalog data via the online catalog

Technical articles and media review

• The end of Sleeping Beauty’s slumber (PDF)
• Mozart’s music manuscript in Mariastein (PDF)
• Music for the monastery church through four centuries (PDF)
• Awakened from its slumber – the music collection of the Benedictine monastery of Mariastein (PDF)
• Reorganization of the music collection of the Benedictine monastery of Mariastein: From the Vespertinale Pro Festis (1683) to the Galop du chemin de fer alsacien pour le piano (PDF)

The history of the music collection

The music collection of the Benedictine Monastery of Mariastein comprises the following sub-collections:

• Music archive (music manuscripts and printed music up to around 1850)
• Sheet music library (printed music from approx. 1850 to the present day)

Both sub-collections represent the musical life of the convent of Mariastein from the 17th century to the present day.

The history of the music collection reflects the more recent history of the Monastery and its two secularisations: in 1792 as a result of the French Revolution, and in 1874 as part of the Kulturkampf in Switzerland. In the tradition of Chapter 16 of the Rule of St. Benedict, ‘Seven Times a Day I Sing Your Praise’, the Benedictines of Mariastein have cultivated a diverse musical life since their relocation from Beinwil to Mariastein in 1648, in which music was both composed and written down and performed.

Two instances of secularisation have put an end to this musical life. The history of the Mariastein music collection is therefore a story of loss and rebuilding.

More information about the history of the music collection can be found here (external link).

The reorganization was made possible thanks to many benefactors and the support of: