Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler
Encyclopedia
The " in Berlin
, Germany
is one of the leading music conservatories in Europe. It was established in East Berlin
in 1950 as the (German College of Music) because the older (now the Berlin University of the Arts
) was in West Berlin
. After the death of one of its first professors, composer Hanns Eisler
, the school was renamed in his honor in 1964. After a renovation in 2005 the conservatory is located in both Berlin's famed and the .
The has a variety of ensembles including chamber music, choirs, orchestras and jazz.
The 2002 founded Kurt-Singer-Institut specializes on research on health for musicians. Since 2003 the Institut für neue Musik deals with contemporary music. With the foundation of the Jazz-Institut Berlin in 2005, the conservatoire gained an international level in jazz education; David Friedman
, John Hollenbeck, Judy Niemack
and Jiggs Whigham
are counted among the professors.
Every year, over 400 events are taking place – including concerts, opera productions, class recitals and exam concerts. The Hochschule collaborates with the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Berlin Philharmonic Foundation. In both these houses regular orchestral, choral and staff concerts are presented.
Since 1964 the conservatoire is named Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" Berlin.
In 1950 a special school for music was founded. The convervatory built up a partnership with the Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach Schule.
In 1953 the program of opera and musical theatre stage direction was established, as two students were interested in this subject. Thus the conservatory became the first school in Europe to have a program of that kind.
The state of Berlin following German Reunification took over the conservatory. Today it is under the jurisdiction of the Senate department of science, research and the arts.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
is one of the leading music conservatories in Europe. It was established in East Berlin
East Berlin
East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. It consisted of the Soviet sector of Berlin that was established in 1945. The American, British and French sectors became West Berlin, a part strongly associated with West Germany but a free city...
in 1950 as the (German College of Music) because the older (now the Berlin University of the Arts
Berlin University of the Arts
The Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK is a public art school in Berlin, Germany, one of the four universities in the city...
) was in West Berlin
West Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
. After the death of one of its first professors, composer Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler was an Austrian composer.-Family background:Eisler was born in Leipzig where his Jewish father, Rudolf Eisler, was a professor of philosophy...
, the school was renamed in his honor in 1964. After a renovation in 2005 the conservatory is located in both Berlin's famed and the .
The has a variety of ensembles including chamber music, choirs, orchestras and jazz.
The Hochschule
The Hochschule is structured in four divisions and four instituts. It offers programs in accordion, composition, conducting, correpition, drums, guitar, harmony and counterpoint, harp, jazz, music theatre, opera direction, strings, timpani, piano and wind instruments.The 2002 founded Kurt-Singer-Institut specializes on research on health for musicians. Since 2003 the Institut für neue Musik deals with contemporary music. With the foundation of the Jazz-Institut Berlin in 2005, the conservatoire gained an international level in jazz education; David Friedman
David Friedman (percussionist)
David Friedman is an American jazz percussionist. His primary instruments are vibraphone and marimba.Friedman studied drums in the 1950s, then marimba and xylophone in the 1960s at Juilliard...
, John Hollenbeck, Judy Niemack
Judy Niemack
Judy Niemack is an American jazz vocalist.Niemack sang in a church choir from age seven. She decided on a professional career in singing at age 17, and soon after met Warne Marsh, who encouraged her to explore jazz. She studied jazz at Pasadena City College, and later at the New England...
and Jiggs Whigham
Jiggs Whigham
Jiggs Whigham is an American jazz trombonist living in Europe.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he began his professional career at age 17, joining the Glenn Miller/Ray Mckinley orchestra in 1961...
are counted among the professors.
Every year, over 400 events are taking place – including concerts, opera productions, class recitals and exam concerts. The Hochschule collaborates with the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Berlin Philharmonic Foundation. In both these houses regular orchestral, choral and staff concerts are presented.
History
After the foundation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), all music schools and the only music college were situated in the west of Berlin. Hence the GDR Ministry for Education decided to establish a music college in the east sector. On October 1st, 1950 the Deutsche Hochschule für Musik was founded. Professor Dr. Georg Knepler was the first director of the school. The teaching staff included Rudolph Wagner-Régeny and Hanns Eisler (composition), Helmut Koch (conducting), Helma Prechter, Arno Schellenberg (voice), Carl Adolf Martiensse, Grete Herwig (piano), Gustav Havemann, Wilhelm Martens (violin), Bernhard Günther (cello), Werner Buchholz (viola) and Ewald Koch (clarinet).Since 1964 the conservatoire is named Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" Berlin.
In 1950 a special school for music was founded. The convervatory built up a partnership with the Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach Schule.
In 1953 the program of opera and musical theatre stage direction was established, as two students were interested in this subject. Thus the conservatory became the first school in Europe to have a program of that kind.
The state of Berlin following German Reunification took over the conservatory. Today it is under the jurisdiction of the Senate department of science, research and the arts.
Some notable former students
- Maria BaptistMaria BaptistMaria Baptist is a German musician and professor.-Career:Maria Baptist was born in 1971 in East Berlin in a very musical family. Her grandfather was an orchestra musician and composer, her father himself is a pianist. Maria discovered very early her fascination for music and at the age of six she...
(pianist, conductor) - Thomas BöttgerThomas BöttgerThomas Böttger is a German composer and pianist. From 1975 to 1980 he studied composition and piano at the Berlin College of Music "Hanns Eisler". From 1980 to 1981 he studied with Tadeusz Baird at the Fryderyk Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw. From 1981 to 1983 he was a master's student of Ruth...
- Vladimir JurowskiVladimir JurowskiVladimir Mikhailovich Jurowski is a Russian conductor. He is the son of conductor Mikhail Jurowski.Jurowski began his musical studies at the Moscow Conservatory...
(conductor) - Sol GabettaSol GabettaSol Gabetta is an Argentine cellist of French and Russian descent, now settled in Switzerland.- Biography :...
- Vladimir JurowskiVladimir JurowskiVladimir Mikhailovich Jurowski is a Russian conductor. He is the son of conductor Mikhail Jurowski.Jurowski began his musical studies at the Moscow Conservatory...
- Marek KalbusMarek KalbusMarek Kalbus is a German opera and concert singer. He has the voice of a typical basso cantante and sings bass and as well bass-baritone roles.-Studies:...
- Georg KatzerGeorg KatzerGeorg Katzer is a German composer. He was one of the pioneers of electronic new music in the German Democratic Republic .-Biography:...
- Akil Mark KociAkil Mark KociAkil Mark Koci is a Kosovar Albanian composer and music writer.- Education :...
- Peter KonwitschnyPeter KonwitschnyPeter Konwitschny is a German opera and theatre director.-Biography:Peter Konwitschny grew up in Leipzig, where his father Franz Konwitschny was principal conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra...
- Jochen KowalskiJochen KowalskiJochen Kowalski is a famous German alto or mezzo countertenor, noted for his very rich timbre. He began his studies as a dramatic tenor, specializing in Wagner, but soon switched to countertenoring and specializing in baroque and classical music...
- Siegfried MatthusSiegfried MatthusSiegfried Matthus is a German composer and opera director living in Berlin and is one of Germany's most often performed contemporary composers.- Biography :Matthus attended secondary school in Rheinsberg, followed by studies at the Hochschule für Musik...
- Johannes MoserJohannes MoserJohannes Moser is a German cellist.He has been hailed as “greatly gifted” by the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times described him as an “imaginative soloist . ....
- Michael SanderlingMichael SanderlingMichael Sanderling is a German violoncellist and conductor.- Biography :Michael Sanderling, son of the contrabassist Barbara Sanderling and the conductor Kurt Sanderling, got his first cello lessons at the age of five in Berlin. At the age of eleven, he became student of Matthias Pfaender at the...
- Jörg-Peter WeigleJörg-Peter WeigleJörg-Peter Weigle is a German conductor and music professor. He is the uncle of the conductor Sebastian Weigle and the violist Friedmann Weigle....
- Ji-Yeoun YouJeanne YouJeanne You, also You Ji-yeoun, is a South Korean classical pianist.-Education and professional career:She began studying the piano at the age of five...
(pianist)
- Robert Zollitsch (composer)Robert Zollitsch (composer)Robert Zollitsch is a composer and producer of new Chinese music. He is known as Lao Luo and "Ye Xue"...
Some notable present and former staff
- Fabio BidiniFabio BidiniFabio Bidini is an Italian pianist. He was a finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth in 1993. In addition, he teaches at the Universität der Künste in Berlin, Germany.-External links:***...
(piano) - Willy DeckerWilly Decker (director)Willy Decker is a German theatre director, particularly known for his opera productions. He staged the world premieres of Hans Werner Henze's Pollicino , Antonio Bibalo's Macbeth , and Aribert Reimann's Das Schloss .Decker was born in Pulheim near Cologne and was educated first at the Rheinischen...
(honorary professor of musical theatre direction) - Hanns EislerHanns EislerHanns Eisler was an Austrian composer.-Family background:Eisler was born in Leipzig where his Jewish father, Rudolf Eisler, was a professor of philosophy...
(composition) - Michael EndresMichael EndresMichael Endres is a German pianist.He was professor for piano from 1993 to 2004 at the Hochschule fuer Musik in Cologne, until 2009 at the Hochschule Hanns Eisler in Berlin—and since autumn 2009 has been professor for piano at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.-Early...
(piano) - David GeringasDavid GeringasDavid Geringas is a world-renowned cellist and conductor who studied under Mstislav Rostropovich. In 1970 he won the Gold Medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition...
(cello) - Peter KonwitschnyPeter KonwitschnyPeter Konwitschny is a German opera and theatre director.-Biography:Peter Konwitschny grew up in Leipzig, where his father Franz Konwitschny was principal conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra...
(opera direction) - Gidon KremerGidon KremerGidon Kremer is a Latvian violinist and conductor. In 1980 he left the USSR and settled in Germany.-Biography:Kremer was born in Riga to parents of German-Jewish and Latvian-Swedish origins. He began playing the violin at the age of four, receiving instruction from his father and his grandfather,...
(violin and chamber music) - Hanspeter KyburzHanspeter KyburzHanspeter Kyburz is a contemporary Swiss composer of classical music, known for applying electronic music techniques to his productions....
(composition) - Marie Luise NeuneckerMarie Luise NeuneckerMarie Luise Neunecker is a German hornplayer and a professor of French horn.- Professional career :Neunecker studied musicology and German studies....
(horn) - Thomas QuasthoffThomas QuasthoffThomas Quasthoff is a German bass-baritone. Although his reputation was initially based on his performance of Romantic lieder, Quasthoff has proven to have a remarkable range from the Baroque cantatas of Bach to solo jazz improvisations.-Biography:Quasthoff was born in Hildesheim, Germany, with...
(voice) - Kurt RosenwinkelKurt RosenwinkelKurt Rosenwinkel is an American jazz guitarist and keyboardist who came to prominence in the 1990s.-Biography:He attended the Berklee School of Music for two and a half years before leaving in his junior year to tour with Gary Burton, the dean of the school at the time...
(jazz guitar) - Rainer SeegersRainer SeegersRainer Seegers , is a German percussionist, timpanist of the Berlin Philharmonic, tutor of the European Union Youth Orchestra and guest professor at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler"...
(visiting professor of percussion) - Júlia VaradyJulia VaradyJúlia Várady is a German soprano of Hungarian origin born in Nagyvárad, Hungary .At the age of six she began violin lessons at the music conservatory in Cluj-Napoca and then, aged fourteen, voice training with Emilia Popp...
(opera interpretation) - Katharina WagnerKatharina WagnerKatharina Wagner is a German opera stage-director and co-director of the Bayreuth Festival. She is the daughter of Wolfgang Wagner, great-granddaughter of Richard Wagner and great-great granddaughter of Hungarian composer Ferenc Liszt.She notably staged Der fliegende Holländer in Würzburg and...
(opera direction) - Rudolf Wagner-RégenyRudolf Wagner-RégenyRudolf Wagner-Régeny was a composer, conductor, and pianist. Born in Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary, since 1920 Romania, he became a German citizen in 1930, and then East Germany after 1945.From 1919–1920 he studied at the Leipzig Conservatory and then at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik from...
(composition) - Ruth ZechlinRuth ZechlinRuth Zechlin née Oschatz was a German composer.-Life:Ruth Zechlin was born Ruth Oschatz in Grosshartmannsdorf, Germany. She began piano lessons at five years old, and wrote her first composition at the age of seven...
(composition, counterpoint, instrumentation) - Tabea ZimmermannTabea ZimmermannTabea Zimmermann, born on October 8, 1966 in Lahr, , is a German violist.She began learning to play the viola at the age of three, and commenced piano studies at age five...
(viola)
Senators of honour
- Claudio AbbadoClaudio AbbadoClaudio Abbado, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , is an Italian conductor. He has served as music director of the La Scala opera house in Milan, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Vienna State Opera,...
- Daniel BarenboimDaniel BarenboimDaniel Barenboim, KBE is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor. He has served as music director of several major symphonic and operatic orchestras and made numerous recordings....
- Sir Simon Rattle
- Wolfgang RihmWolfgang RihmWolfgang Rihm is a German composer.Rihm is Head of the Institute of Modern Music at the Karlsruhe Conservatory of Music and has been composer in residence at the Lucerne Festival and the Salzburg Festival...