Geschichte des Seminars

1805

Anton Friedrich Justus Thibaut (1772–1840), jurist and music lover, resides at Augustinergasse 7 for three years and founds a Singverein (Choral Society) in Heidelberg.

1807

Heidelberg University offers its first instructional courses in music (initially consisting of practical music lessons).

1825

The Alte Aula of Heidelberg University is utilized as a venue for music for the first time (initially for musical practice sessions by students).

1859

Establishment of a permanent, salaried position for an Academic Music Director at the Theological Seminar of Heidelberg University: Karl Boch (1825–1894).

1860

The first lectures in musicology take place within the Faculty of Philosophy: Ludwig Nohl (1831–1885).

1885

A second Academic Music Director assumes his duties alongside Boch at the Theological Seminar of Heidelberg University: Philipp Wolfrum (1854–1919); he is appointed “Extra-Ordinary Professor” in 1888. Has also been responsible for the music of university worship services since 1893

Founding of the Heidelberg "Bach Society" by Wolfrum

Founding of the "Academic Choral Society" by Wolfrum

1894

Establishment of the first permanent position of University Music Director (UMD): Philipp Wolfrum

1896

Founding of the Heidelberg "Academic Richard Wagner Society"

1898

Establishment (on a temporary basis) of the first extraordinary professorship for “Musicology – specifically the Theory and History of Music” within the Faculty of Philosophy: Philipp Wolfrum

1903

Conferral of an honorary doctorate upon the composer Richard Strauss

1906

Authorization of the first position for a "Academic Music Assistant": Fritz Stein (1879–1961)

1916

On July 16, Philipp Wolfrum conducts the world premieres of Max Reger’s final two choral works Der Einsiedler (Op. 144a) and Requiem (Op. 144b) in Heidelberg

1919

Students successfully advocate for the administrative separation of practical music instruction from musicology (following Wolfrum’s death)

1920

Hermann Poppen (1885–1956) assumes the office of Academic Music Director

Establishment of the ordinary professorship in Musicology: An offer is going to Hermann Abert (1871–1927); following his refusal, the offer is accepted by Theodor Kroyer (1873–1945)

Founding of the "Collegium Musicum" by Kroyer

1921

Founding of the Department of Musicology at Augustinergasse 7

Establishment of the Seminar Library and the provision of generous funding for the acquisition of literature through the "Hedwig Marx-Kirsch Foundation" (named after the pianist, 1884–1920)

1925

Hans-Joachim Moser (1889–1967) succeeds Theodor Kroyer – who had been appointed to Leipzig in 1923 – in the professorship of musicology.

1928

Heinrich Besseler (1900–1969) succeeds Hans-Joachim Moser – who had been appointed to Leipzig in 1927 – in the professorship of musicology.

Acquisition of a portion of the Thibaut Collection by Besseler through the auction of Werner Wolffheim’s music library.

1936

Conferral of an honorary doctorate upon the composer Jean Sibelius.

1948

Thrasyboulos G. Georgiades (1907–1977) succeeds Heinrich Besseler – who had been removed from his post due to his involvement with National Socialism – in the professorship of musicology. 1955: Conversion of the professorship into a full chair (Chair of Musicology)

1957

Walter Gerstenberg (1904–1988) succeeds Georgiades in the Chair of Musicology

1963

Reinhold Hammerstein (1915–2010) succeeds Gerstenberg in the Chair of Musicology

1964

Establishment of a second professorship in musicology: Siegfried Hermelink (1914–1975)

1980

Wilhelm Seidel (1935–2020) succeeds Hermelink in the professorship of musicology

1981

Ludwig Finscher (1930–2020) succeeds Hammerstein in the Chair of Musicology

1982

Herbert Schneider (*1941) succeeds Seidel – who had been appointed to Marburg in 1982 – in the professorship of musicology

1989

Launch of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences’ project on the musical holdings of the Cappella Sistina (directed by Ludwig Finscher: 1989–2001)

1990

Launch of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences’ project on the "History of the Mannheim Court Chapel in the 18th Century" (directed by Ludwig Finscher: 1990–2005)

1994

Ludwig Finscher is inducted into the "Order Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts"

1996

Silke Leopold (b. 1948) succeeds Finscher as holder of the Chair of Musicology

1997

Dorothea Redepenning (b. 1954) succeeds Schneider as Professor of Musicology

1998

Founding of the Marionette Opera by Joachim Steinheuer (active until 2021)

2006

Launch of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences’ project on the "History of Southwest German Court Music in the 18th Century" (directed by Silke Leopold: 2006–2020)

Ludwig Finscher receives the prestigious "Balzan Prize for the History of Western Music since 1600"

2015

Inga Mai Groote (b. 1974) succeeds Leopold as holder of the Chair of Musicology

2020

Christiane Wiesenfeldt (b. 1972) and Christoph Flamm (b. 1968) succeed Inga Mai Groote and Dorothea Redepenning