Meet the New Boss at the State Philharmonic: Michael Gassmann
Fresh Face, Fresh Perspective - Gassmann Heads State Philharmonic Orchestra - New Leader Takes Charge: Gassmann Tackles State Philharmonic with Fresh Perspectives
Get ready, Ludwigshafen! Change is coming to the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz as Michael Gassmann takes over as Intendant, starting the 2025-2026 season. Beat Fehlmann, who's been leading the team since 2018, is moving on to become the artistic director and CEO of the Musikakademie in Liechtenstein.
Gassmann, a musicologist by trade, is pumped to work alongside the orchestra's chief conductor, Michael Francis, and the rest of the crew. Under Fehlmann and Francis, the State Philharmonic has experienced remarkable growth. Gassmann highlighted the 'Competence Center for Music' project, making the orchestra a significant reference in the orchestra world.
The Green politician, Katharina Binz, described Gassmann as an outstanding cultural manager with a deep understanding of music. His impressive career includes roles as chief dramaturgist for the Bachakademie Stuttgart and the Musikfest Stuttgart, as head of artistic operations for the Heidelberger Frühling, and as commercial director of the International Beethovenfest Bonn gGmbH. His proven ability to combine visionary programming with professional management will shine at the State Philharmonic.
Gassmann was born in Bonn and studied Catholic church music, musicology, art history, and Latin philology of the Middle Ages in Freiburg. He's earned a Ph.D. and even recorded Elgar's complete organ works on CD. Currently, he serves as commercial managing director of the International Beethovenfest Bonn.
Gassmann has a unique approach that emphasizes accessibility, friendliness, and hospitality. Expect to see these qualities reflected in his new role at the State Philharmonic, with plans to maintain and enhance the orchestra's role as a musical ambassador for the region.
Stay tuned for more details about Gassmann's programming plans, initiatives, and potential collaborations as he brings a fresh perspective to the orchestra's musical endeavors! 🎶🎵🎺
- Keywords: Michael Gassmann, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Ludwigshafen, Future Music, Green politician, Katharina Binz, Stuttgart, Einstein Academy, Loss of Chief Conductor Michael Francis, Competence Center for Music, Bonn, Beethoven Festival
Enrichment Data: - Gassmann studied Catholic church music in Cologne, followed by musicology, art history, and Latin philology of the Middle Ages in Freiburg. In 2000, he earned his Ph.D. with a thesis on "Edward Elgar and the German symphonic tradition." - Gassmann has a diverse background, including a stint as a feuilleton editor at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) from 2001 to 2002, serving as the managing director of Musik Podium Stuttgart in 2007, and as a dramaturge at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart. - Since 2015, Gassmann has led the artistic operations at Heidelberger Frühling. Currently, he serves as commercial managing director of the International Beethovenfest Bonn.
- Michael Gassmann, the new Intendant of Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, will commence his role during the 2025-2026 season, following in the footsteps of Beat Fehlmann who is now moving to the Musikakademie in Liechtenstein.
- A musicologist by trade, Gassmann has an impressive career in the entertainment industry, with roles at the Bachakademie Stuttgart, Musikfest Stuttgart, Heidelberger Frühling, and the International Beethovenfest Bonn.
- Katharina Binz, a Green politician, has commended Gassmann as an outstanding cultural manager with a deep understanding of music. His approach emphasizes accessibility, friendliness, and hospitality, qualities that are expected to be reflected in his new role at the State Philharmonic.
- Gassmann's plans for the State Philharmonie include maintaining and enhancing the orchestra's role as a musical ambassador for the region, with a focus on innovation and collaboration, much like the 'Competence Center for Music' project he championed in the past.
