Liedzentrum

Lied and Heidelberg

Lied is part of Heidelberg's DNA. The most famous and most extensive manuscript of songs of the Middle Ages, the "Codex Manesse", which was created from 1300 onwards, is kept here. At the beginning of the 19th century, Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim compiled their folk song collection "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" in Heidelberg. Romantic composers such as Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, and poets such as Friedrich Hölderlin and Joseph von Eichendorff were inspired by the city and its atmosphere.

The Liedzentrum – A place for innovation and research

The Heidelberger Frühling founded the Liedzentrum in 2016 to maintain the legacy of the Lied and ensure its renewal at an excellent level. It provides the ideal setting for a creative and innovative exploration of the phenomenon of Lied in all its manifestations. It creates a safe space for research and experimental work: artists should be able to concentrate on their projects without the pressure of deadlines, economic necessities or immediate pressure to succeed.

Interdisciplinary exchange and artistic projects

In an open, interdisciplinary exchange, song forms from different traditions and cultures inspire each other. The center is a place where exemplary productions are conceived, tested and presented to an audience. The formats developed here provide important impulses for the future of the genre.

The year-round Liedakademie under the artistic direction of main lecturer Thomas Hampson, the international Wettbewerb "Das Lied" founded by Thomas Quasthoff, which was held until 2023, and, since 2022, the Liedfestival are united under the umbrella of the Liedzentrum. The center also realizes other artistic projects such as the interdisciplinary Lied.LABS, the short film series "Lied me!" and the CD release "Schumann - Alle Lieder" with Christian Gerhaher and Gerold Huber.

A strong international network for Lied

The Liedzentrum works closely with influential individuals and institutions to build an international network that reflects its collaborative spirit. This exchange promotes public awareness of the genre, supports artistic and aesthetic developments and contributes to attracting a diverse audience.

Network partners include Bayerischer Rundfunk, Franz Schubert und die Musik der Moderne Graz, the Hampsong Foundation, Hidalgo Munich, the Hugo Wolf Academy Stuttgart, the Oxford Lieder Festival, the Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft im BDI e.V., the Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, the Robert Schumann Research Center e.V., Sony Classical, the Schubertiade Vilabertran, the Wigmore Hall London and "Der Zwerg" - Das Kunstlied Festival.