New study by the market research institute GIM on behalf of the Heidelberger Frühling

Five years after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and in the midst of massive cultural cutbacks, many cultural professionals are looking to the future with concern. What impact have the experiences of the systemic relevance debate since 2020 and the recent drastic austerity decisions had on the cultural landscape in Germany and on the value system of our society? What does our audience expect from the concert of tomorrow and how can we take concertgoers with us on our journey into the future?

The Gesellschaft für innovative Marktforschung in Heidelberg (GIM) and Heidelberger Frühling conducted a large-scale study in 2022/2023, which examined and evaluated future scenarios, opportunities and potential for the classical concert based on the mood of the current pandemic situation. And from the perspective of all relevant players: audience, organizers, musicians and representatives of the music industry and academia.

The results of the study were presented on February 25, 2025 by Heidelberger Frühling together with the Gesellschaft für innovative Marktforschung at an online industry meeting with around 160 participants:

Greeting

Thorsten Schmidt (Director Heidelberger Frühling)

Moderation

Simon Holst (Advisor to the Director Heidelberger Frühling)

Presentation of the study results

Sebastian Klein (Senior Research Director GIM)

Krischan Ditsch (Research Manager GIM)

Short impulses from experts

Sonia Simmenauer (President of the Federal Association of Concert Promoters (BDKV) and founder and Managing Director of Impresariat Simmenauer)

Dr. Meret Forster (Editorial Director BR-KLASSIK and Artistic Director ARD Music Competition)

Gerald Mertens (Editor-in-Chief of "Das Orchester", Managing Director of unisono Deutsche Musik- und Orchestervereinigung e.V.)

Prof. Dr. Martin Zierold (Head of the Institute for Cultural and Media Management at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, consultant, coach, podcaster and author)