Wolfgang Rihm's death in the summer of 2024 not only caused consternation and deep sadness in the music world, it also left an immense gap. The composer's almost incomprehensible productivity, his simultaneously sensual and intellectually sharp approach to everything aesthetic and, last but not least, the sheer spiritual and physical presence of Rihm the man: all of this is now missing. Far and wide, there are no recognizable instances that could satisfy the longing for such forces.

As present as Rihm was in the cultural life of Germany and beyond for decades, he has now suddenly fallen silent. The Heidelberger Frühling, to which Wolfgang Rihm was closely associated over the decades – all of his string quartets were performed here as recently as January 2022 – is now honouring the master with a day of celebration: 'A Celebration of Wolfgang Rihm' includes top-class performances of his works and pointed contributions. The audience and the composer's many companions are invited to meet and reminisce together.

In the second event of the Celebration of Wolfgang Rihm, Prof. Ulrich Mosch pays tribute to the composer. Among other things, he is the editor of Rihm's writings and was head of the musicology department at the Université de Genève until his retirement in 2020. Igor Levit and his student Dongping Wang will frame the lecture with two early piano pieces from the 1970s. Concise excerpts from Rihm's speeches and essays will also make the unmistakable tone of this profound musical thinker audible.

18:00 – 19:15

Also bookable in the Rihm Pass (includes all three events of the day)