Wolfgang Gönnenwein

Wolfgang Gönnenwein ( born January 29, 1933, Schwäbisch Hall ) is a German conductor, music educator and politician.

Education and career

Gönnenwein studied after school music and German literature at the Universities of Heidelberg and Tübingen. He then worked at the Protestant school construction Michel Bach at the Bilz as a music teacher. In 1959, he became the choirmaster of the South German Madrigal Choir; 1969 to 1973 he directed the choir in addition to the Bach -Verein Köln.

1968 Gönnenwein professor at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, where he was elected Rector in 1973. He held until 1982 this function. At that time he also led the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, which soon became an internationally known cultural event. Gönnenwein was involved also relevant in the new construction of the Forum in Ludwigsburg.

In the 1980s Gönnenwein made ​​numerous concert tours in America and East Asia. On 1 August 1985 he was appointed general director of the Württemberg State Theatre in Stuttgart, where he brought many ground-breaking productions to the stage.

1978 brought him Prime Minister Lothar Späth in the state government. He gave him the post of honorary State Council for Arts. Following the resignation Späth as Prime Minister in January 1991 Gönnenwein resigned as State Council. His successor in the first Cabinet of Minister President Erwin Teufel was Gerhard Goll. Gönnenwein, whose contract was extended in 1989 with the Württemberg State theaters for three years, came under pressure in 1992. Against him were under investigation for embezzlement of public funds. He therefore resigned in November 1992 from his office. A few weeks later, the contract was terminated with the Württemberg State theaters.

1996 Gönnenwein was in addition to his position as head of the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival and director of the Festival Baden -Baden, which at the time received a new building. In 1998, Gönnenwein this office down again. 2005 ended Gönnenwein his activity at the Ludwigsburg Festival. He was succeeded by Wulf Konold.

For many years Gönnenwein is chairman of the German Music Competition, which is organized annually by the German Music Council. 2005 Gönnenwein was elected president of the National Music Council of Baden- Württemberg. This office he was forced to retire for health reasons in September 2010.

Tours (selection)

Media (selection)

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Johannes - Passion BWV 245
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244
  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op 123
  • George Frideric Handel: Dettingen Te Deum
  • Joseph Haydn: The Creation
  • Joseph Haydn: The Seasons
  • Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder & Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem in D minor KV 626
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto for 2 pianos & orchestra in E flat major, K. 365
  • Mozart from the Ludwigsburg Castle I-VIII
  • Franz Schubert: Mass No. 5 A flat major D 678
  • Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D 759 " Unfinished" & Gustav Mahler: The Song of Lamentation
  • Giuseppe Verdi: I masnadieri
  • George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus, Dettingen Te Deum

Television production (selection)

  • Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem ( with Giora Feidman & Klezmer Music )
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Così fan tutte ( Directed by Dieter Dorn )
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro ( Directed by Dieter Dorn )
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio (director: Marco Arturo Marelli )
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute ( Director: Axel Manthey )
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem
  • Giuseppe Verdi: Quattro pezzis sacri
  • Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischütz
  • Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischütz (directed by Loriot )
  • George Frideric Handel: Semele (director: Marco Arturo Marelli )

Other offices, honors and awards

Wolfgang Gönnenwein was representative of the national Music Council in the Broadcasting Council of the SWR. In 2003 he was awarded the Medal of Merit of the State of Baden -Wuerttemberg.

Family and Private

Gönnenwein is married with Ilse born Eppler, a sister of the SPD politician Erhard Eppler, and has two sons.

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