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2019 : The Year in (German) Music

Musikrückblick 2019 © Ryan Howerter on Unsplash

The year 2019 and music? The whole year was about completely different things than music, it might seem. But that's not quite true - musically, too, the year was eventful, controversial and, looking back, not bad at all. In this review, our authors try to summarize an, on closer inspection very exciting German music year.

Ebow Photo (detail): © Mirza Odabasi

Pop 2019
 Autotune, Cancel Culture, Nursery Rhymes

While we’re ushering the old year out these days, the conclusions drawn are of significant weight considering that 2019 is the end of an entire decade. The new decade beckons, smiles, threatens. The twenties of the 21st century! In order to make a good transition, we need to know what we’re leaving behind. What’s resonating in our ears, what’s stayed in our hearts, what debates have we been having and what can we simply put in the bin?

Und so klatscht in eure Hände
Wenn ich die Straßen nieder brenne

(and so clap your hands/When I burn the streets) - Ebow in "K4L

DJ Gigola Photo (detail): © Nikki Powell

Electronic Music 2019
 Global Issues Enter Local Scenes

In 2019, global problems found their way into the German scene: Climate crisis, displacement from inner cities, Israeli-Palestinian conflict – it seemed as if the club culture was no longer the hedonistic playground it was meant to be. However, the year’s musical trends put a stop to that.
Lucia Cadotsch/LIUN + The Science Fiction Band Photo (detail): © Louise Boer

Jazz 2019
 A decade that rang in the changes, festivals and collectives

What went down in German jazz last year? Tina Heine looks back on major anniversaries, the German Jazz Union's achievements and standout releases this past year – as well as jazz festivals over the past decade.
Musicians of the SWR Vokalensemble at the rehearsal of Simon Stehen-Andersens TRIO Photo (detail): © Donaueschinger Musiktage 2019 / SWR.de

New Music 2019
 A Topology of Neue Musik

One striking feature of Neue Musik is how difficult it is to grasp. Thousands of actors are constantly reinventing Neue Musik in hundreds of places in Germany. This is an attempt at an overview.

The best in music is not in the notes

Gustav Mahler

General Music Director Joana Mallwitz on tour Photo (detail): © Ludwig Olah / Staatstheater Nürnberg

Classical Scene 2019
 The Next Instalment in the Twilight of the Old Boys

The German classical music scene is still preoccupied with #MeToo and what to do about dirty old men. And grappling with badly needed renovations.
Lute Photo (detail): © dpa

Early Music 2019
 Poor, but happy!

How is early music faring in Germany at the close of 2019? Well, it’s poor – but happy. This past year, alongside plenty of mainstream festivals, others, brimming with musical idealism, offered highly original programmes of early music. 
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