Paul Sacher Foundation

The Paul Sacher Foundation is an archive and research center in Basel holding handwritten manuscripts, letters, and recordings from composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. The facility provides space to examine these important musical documents and their context.

Conductor Paul Sacher founded this institution in 1973 to collect and protect works of modern composers. A significant moment came in 1983 when the Stravinsky estate arrived, followed by materials from other major composers.

The foundation preserves works that show how composers in the 20th century explored new musical directions and pushed boundaries. Visitors can understand how classical music changed and which artists shaped these developments.

The archive welcomes researchers and musicians seeking access to original manuscripts and correspondence, though visits must be arranged in advance. It helps to plan clearly what you want to research and gather information about available collections beforehand.

The institute publishes scholarly materials regularly, including an annual bulletin freely available online that gives researchers worldwide access to findings. This material offers insights into ongoing studies and discoveries about composers and their works.

Location: Basel

Location: Basel-Stadt

Inception: 1973

Address: Münsterplatz 4

Website: https://paul-sacher-stiftung.ch/en

GPS coordinates: 47.55712,7.59158

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24