Concert Halls
Baden-Baden - Festspielhaus
Europe’s second-biggest opera house first raised its curtains in 1998 in Baden-Baden. The one-time train station concourse in neoclassical style was transformed into a festival theatre that seats 2,500 for concerts, ballet and opera performances.
Bamberg - Konzerthalle
Opened in 1993, Bamberg’s Konzerthalle is a modern complex designed for congresses and concerts of all sorts. Joseph Keilberth Hall is home to the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra – and to Europe’s second-biggest concert organ, built by Georg Jann.
Berlin - Konzerthaus
Situated in midtown Berlin (Mitte), the venerable four-hall Konzerthaus is home venue for the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. This masterpiece of classicistic architecture in Germany was built around 1820 based on drawings by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and rebuilt after World War II.
Berlin - Philharmonie
The Berlin Philharmonie, built in the early 1960s by Hans Scharoun, is one of the foremost concert halls in Berlin and home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. This circus-like theatre in the round with a pentagonal auditorium provides an equally good view of the stage from every side.
Bielefeld - Rudolf-Oetker-Halle
Rudolf-Oetker-Halle dates from 1930. It is not only home to the Bielefeld Philharmonic, but also a venue for conferences and congresses. It was designed as “The Ninth” by architects Tietmann & Haake, whose concept is reflected in the nine-arched foyer held up by pillars that rise three storeys high.
Bremen - Die Glocke
“The Bell”, near Bremen’s historical market square, presents a wide-ranging programme of music. Whilst the building sports an imposing Hanseatic gabled façade, the auditoriums and foyer are designed in 1920s Art Deco style.
Dortmund - Konzerthaus
Dortmund’s Konzerthaus doubles as philharmonic for the region of Westphalia and home venue for the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a new complex, opened in 2003, a blend of concrete, wood and multicoloured stained-glass façade, whose main auditorium boasts state-of-the-art acoustics and seats 1,500.
Düsseldorf - Tonhalle
The Tonhalle on the bank of the Rhine in Düsseldorf was originally designed by Wilhelm Kreis in 1925 as a planetarium. This brick rotunda with its green cupola is the home venue for the Düsseldorf Symphonic Orchestra.
Essen - Philharmonie
Essen’s Philharmonie, whose century-old auditorium was completely overhauled in 2004, is now the biggest venue for concerts and events in the Ruhr region. Home to the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, this modern hall in pale wood with red and blue highlights holds roughly 2,000 people.
Frankfurt an der Oder - Konzerthalle "C.P.E. Bach"
Carl Philip Emanuel Bach Hall on the Oder river bank is a reconstruction of the 13th-century brick Franciscan church that once stood there. It has been holding concerts and other events since 1967 and accommodates Frankfurt’s Brandenburg State Orchestra.
Frankfurtam Main - Alte Oper
The Alte Oper (Old Opera House), an historic edifice amidst modern office buildings, is a hallmark of downtown Frankfurt. It was destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt in 1981 in its original late-neoclassical style. The erstwhile opera house is now a major international concert hall where renowned artists give daily performances of every kind of music.
Freiburg im Breisgau - Konzerthaus
Freiburg’s Konzerthaus opened in 1996 and has since served as the seat of the SWR Symphony Orchestra of Baden-Baden and Freiburg. In addition to a small amphitheatre-like concert room, its main auditorium can be variously adapted for concerts, congresses and conferences thanks to state-of-the-art stagecraft.
Halle - Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Halle
Inaugurated in 1998, Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Halle in Halle on the River Saale is the first new congress and concert hall to be built in Eastern Germany. Halle’s State Philharmonic Orchestra is based in the main auditorium. The venue’s musical repertoire has been enriched since October 2000 by the addition of a big concert organ built by Johannes Klais.
Jena - Philharmonie im Volkshaus
The big auditorium of the Volkshaus (est. 1903) in Jena is home to the city’s philharmonic, but also a concert venue for other music genres.
Kiel - Schloss
Kiel Castle, once the most eminent Renaissance building in Schleswig-Holstein, was destroyed in 1944, then rebuilt in 1965 as an arts centre with architectural references to the original edifice. The main auditorium, which recalls Baroque opera halls with its gilded tier and red-upholstered seats, is the chief venue for the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
Köln - Philharmonie
Opened in 1986, Cologne’s Philharmonie houses the Gürzenich and WDR Cologne Symphony orchestras. Events are held daily in the vast modern amphitheatre.
Leipzig - Gewandhaus
The Gewandhaus Orchestra, Germany’s oldest civic orchestra, got its name in the 18th century from its first venue, a cloth merchant’s hall. And it got a permanent modern concert hall in 1981: the eponymous Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, which boasts Europe’s biggest contemporary ceiling fresco, by Sighard Gille.
Lübeck - Musik- und Kongresshalle
The Music and Congress Hall (MuK for short) by the River Trave in Lübeck was designed by Meinhardt von Gerkan and opened in 1994. Whilst the foyer holds some 3,500 people at pop concerts and congresses, the big auditorium panelled in light-coloured wood holds 1,900 and, thanks to its excellent acoustics, is not only home to the Lübeck Philharmonic Orchestra, but also centre stage for the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.
München - Gasteig
Munich’s Gasteig arts and education centre opened in 1985 in a large brick complex on the Isar River. It holds a number of institutions, including the municipal library and music conservatory, and concert halls, such as the “Blackbox” and Carl Orff Hall. Its biggest facility is the philharmonic amphitheatre, with a capacity of over 2,000, home to the Munich Philharmonic.
Nürnberg - Meistersingerhalle
Inaugurated in 1963, the Meistersingerhalle, with two halls and six conference rooms, is Nuremberg’s biggest venue for concerts, conferences and galas. This multifunctional hall situated in Luitpoldhain park presents concerts by the Nuremberg philharmonic and symphonic orchestras.
Potsdam - Nikolaisaal
Designed by Rudy Ricciotti, the Nikolaisaal for concerts and other events in Potsdam was opened in the year 2000. The futuristic architecture of the big auditorium starkly contrasts with the building’s Baroque exterior. Concerts are given here regularly by the Potsdam Kammerakademie (chamber academy), Babelsberg Film Orchestra, Brandenburg Symphonic Orchestra and Brandenburg State Orchestra at Frankfurt an der Oder.
Stuttgart - Liederhalle
The design of the Liederhalle in Stuttgart’s city centre stems from plans by Rolf Gutbrod and Adolf Abel and, when completed in 1956, it was the world’s first asymmetrical concert hall. It has since been extended to include 20 conference rooms and five auditoriums, including the Beethoven, Hegel and Mozart halls, with a capacity of up to 6,000.
Weimarhalle
The congress centrum neue Weimarhalle designed by Gerkan Mark & Partners opened in 1999, the year of Weimar’s official stint as European Cultural Capital. This modern building of concrete and cedar is situated on an elevated terrace in Schwanseepark. Concerts in a wide array of musical genres are held regularly in its main auditorium, with is home to the Weimar Staatskapelle.Festivals
Beethovenfest Bonn
Works by Ludwig van Beethoven with a different theme each year
Annually in September/October
Annually in September/October
Brandenburgische Sommerkonzerte
Summertime concerts in castles and churches in the Brandenburg March region
Annually between June and September
Annually between June and September
Deutsches Mozartfest
Two-week Mozart festival at alternating venues
Annually
Annually
Europäisches Musikfest Stuttgart
European festival featuring choral and orchestral concerts, master classes and lecture concerts
Annually in August/September
Annually in August/September
Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Chamber and orchestral concerts at unusual venues, spotlight on aspiring artists
Annually from June to September
Annually from June to September
Heidelberger Frühling
Springtime chamber and orchestral concerts, master classes, lecture concerts, symposia
Annually in March/April
Annually in March/April
Kissinger Sommer
Summertime chamber and orchestral concerts featuring international artists
Annually in June/July
Annually in June/July
MDR Musiksommer
Performances of everything from Early to New Music at various locations in eastern central Germany
Annually from July to early September
Annually from July to early September
Mozartfest Würzburg
Germany’s oldest Mozart festival, held at the Würzburg Residenz
Annually in June
Annually in June
Musikfest Berlin
Chamber and orchestral music, world and German premieres
Annually in August/September
Annually in August/September
Musikfestspiele Potsdam
Orchestral and opera works, literature, cultural history programme at Sans Souci palace
Annually in June
Annually in June
Oberstdorfer Musiksommer
Classical music festival in the Allgäu region with master classes and concerts
Annually in July/August
Annually in July/August
Rheingau Musik Festival
Europe's biggest music festival to be financed by the private sector: Classical music, jazz, world music and cabaret
Annually from end of June to end of August
Annually from end of June to end of August
Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival
Orchestral and chamber music, choral and orchestral academy, master classes, children’s programme, Jazz Baltica
Annually between July and September
Annually between July and September
Schwetzinger Festspiele
Musical theatre, concerts, premieres and featured composers
Annually between April and June
Annually between April and June
Sommerliche Musiktage Hitzacker
Summertime ensemble and orchestral concerts, lectures, workshops, commissioned works, spotlight on aspiring artists
Annually in July/August
Annually in July/August
Music Instruction
MIZ - Themenportal „Bildung & Ausbildung“
Background information and news on music education, professional training, further education
[German music information centre MIZ]
MIZ - Directory
Annotated directory for music instruction, basic and advanced
[German Music Information Centre MIZ]
MIZ - Courses
Information about public courses, congresses, seminars and workshops
[German Music Information Centre MIZ]
MIZ - Competitions
A detailed overview of music competitions, prizes and scholarships in Germany.
[German Music Information Centre MIZ]
Arbeitskreis “Musik in der Jugend” (Youth Music Ring)
Information about music courses and vacation programmes for teenagers, sheet music library
Bundesvereinigung für kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung e.V.
German Association for Child and Youth Education in the Arts
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst - DAAD
(German Academic Exchange Service)
Portal to German Academia
DAAD - scholarships in Germany
Database on scholarship programmes for foreign students
DAAD - Scholarships abroad
Database on scholarship programmes for German students going abroad
Deutscher Bühnenverein
German Theatre and Orchestra Association
Guide to occupations in the theatre/opera
Gesellschaft für Musikforschung
(Association of Music Research )
Musicology schools/departments with course catalogues
Gesellschaft für Musikpädagogik
(Music Teacher Training Association)
Continued courses for music teachers
International Saxon Academy of Singers in Torgau
Summer academy focusing on German vocal art (Lied, oratorio, opera) for vocal music students and young singers from abroad. Participants have the chance to apply for an award.
Academies of music in Germany
Association of the 24 music academies in Germany
Verband deutscher Musikschulen (VdM)
(Association of German Music Schools )
Directory, job market, publications, youth projects
Verband deutscher Schulmusiker
(Society of German Music Instructors)
Advanced training for music instructors and for music pedagogy teachers and students
Competitions
Instrumental
Augsburg 
Hannover
Leipzig
Markneukirchen 
München
Singing
Dresden 
Leipzig Conducting
Frankfurt 
München
MIZ - Competitions
A detailed overview of music competitions, prizes and scholarships in Germany.
[German Music Information Centre MIZ]
Institutions and Associations
MIZ – Organizations
Extensive database on German music organizations, associations, societies and foundations
[German music information centre MIZ]
Deutscher Musikrat (German Music Council)
This umbrella organization for German music represents the interests of the German music world as a whole, particularly with regard to music instruction.
Deutscher Bühnenverein
(German Theatre and Orchestra Association)
Information about German theatres and orchestras with a directory of addresses and a guide to occupations in the theatre
Deutsche Phonoverbände
German Phonographic Organizations
Deutsche Orchestervereinigung
German Orchestra Association
Deutscher Chorverband
German Choral Association
Deutscher Komponistenverband (DKV)
German Society of Composers
Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten (GVL)
Ancillary copyright collecting society
Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte (GEMA)
Society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights
Gesellschaft für Musikforschung (GfM)
Association of Music Research
Gesellschaft für Musikpädagogik / Verband der Musikpädagogen e.V.
Music Teacher Training Association
Verband deutscher Musikschulen (VdM)
(Association of German Music Schools )
Directory, job market, publications, youth projects
Verband deutscher Schulmusiker
(Society of German Music Instructors)
Advanced training for music instructors and for music pedagogy teachers and students
Labels and Publishers
This is a basic selection of labels and publishers for classical music in Germany.
For a more comprehensive list, please refer to the database MIZ run by the German Music Council.
For a more comprehensive list, please refer to the database MIZ run by the German Music Council.
Specialized print and online media
FonoForum Magazine for classical and jazz music
Published monthly by:
Nitsche-Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Euskirchen
fonoforum@nitschke-verlag.de 
www.fonoforum.de 
Partituren Classical music magazine for the interested layman
Published bimonthly by:
Friedrich Berlin Verlag, Berlin
redaktion@partituren.orgwww.partituren.org
Neue Musikzeitung Journal covering the current music scene – chiefly in Germany
Comes out ten times a year
Published by: Theo Geißler, Con Brio Verlag, Regensburg
nmz@nmz.dewww.nmz.de
Das Orchester Journal covering orchestra and radio chorus life
Comes out eleven times a year
Published by: Schott-Verlag, Mainz
orchester.redaktion@schott-musik.dewww.dasorchester.de
musikforum
Magazine about developments and structures in the German music scene, focusing on cultural policy.
Published quarterly by:
German Music Council / Schott Music musikforum@musikrat.dewww.musik-forum-online.de
Neue Chorzeit
Journal on the German choral scene and members' magazine of the German Choral Association
Published monthly by: Deutscher Chorverband
(German Choral Association)redaktion@neuechorzeit.dewww.neuechorzeit.de
Klassik.com
Classical music portal: current reviews, calendar of events, new releases radio, artist contacts etc.
