Lars Klingberg

Event

Foundation of the Cultural AssociationFirst appearance of the monthly magazine “Aufbau”First Central Cultural Conference of the KPD in Berlin (February 3–5, 1946)2nd meeting of the SED Party Executive Committee in Berlin (May 14 and 15, 1946)First of the “New Music” evenings organized by Johannes Paul Thilman in the Dresden Cultural AssociationFounding meeting and first working conference of the Bund Deutscher Volksbühnen in Berlin (May 16–18, 1947)1st German Writers’ Congress in BerlinDecision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on the opera “The Great Friendship” by Vano Muradeli7th (21st) Session of the Party Executive Committee of the SED in Berlin (February 11 and 12, 1948)2nd International Congress of Composers and Music Critics in Prague (May 20–29, 1948)“World Congress of Intellectuals in Defense of Peace” in Wroclaw (August 25–27, 1948)Music festival “Tage neuer Musik” in Leipzig (November 11–21, 1948)The article by Alexander Dymschitz "On the Formalistic Direction in German Painting" is publishedRegistration of the Hallische Händel-Gesellschaft in the Register of Associations of the Local Court of HalleProhibition of the free activity of artistic associations in the Soviet occupation zoneThe 1st Party Conference of the SED begins in Berlin (January 25–28, 1949)FDJ choirmaster conference in BerlinThe 17th (31st) meeting of the SED Party Executive Committee begins in Berlin (March 9 and 10, 1949)The German Economic Commission issues the ‘1st Culture Ordinance’Foundation of the GDRThe Bach Honoring of German Youth begins in Eisenach (March 19–21, 1950)Foundation of the Deutsche Akademie der Künste in East BerlinThe 3rd Party Congress of the SED begins in Berlin (July 20–24, 1950)The German Bach Celebration begins in Leipzig (July 23–31, 1950)Appearance of the Orlov article “Das Reich der Schatten auf der Bühne”Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy receives a new text by Johannes R. BecherAppearance of the Orlov article “Wege und Irrwege der modernen Kunst”Founding of the music magazine “Musik und Gesellschaft”‘Rehearsal performance’ of the opera “Das Verhör des Lukullus” (“The Trial of Lucullus”) by Paul Dessau in BerlinThe Central Committee of the SED debates the fight against ‘formalism’ in art at its 5th sessionFounding of the AWAFoundation of the Association of ComposersDecision of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED “On Improving the Situation of the Intelligent”The “3rd World Festival of Youth and Students for Peace” takes place in BerlinUlbricht’s speech to the People’s ChamberWorld premiere of the opera “Die Verurteilung des Lukullus” (“The Condemnation of Lucullus”) by Paul Dessau in BerlinDiscussion of the Music Section of the Deutsche Akademie der Künste about dance musicFoundation of the Berlin Folk Song ArchiveStart of the “German Beethoven Honors” 1952Entertainment and dance music competitionA music critics’ conference begins in Berlin (May 16 and 17, 1952)The 1st Handel Festival begins in Halle (Saale) (July 5–13, 1952)The 2nd Party Conference of the SED begins in Berlin (July 9–12, 1952)The 1st Annual Congress of the VDK begins in Berlin (September 27–October 5, 1952)Call for the creation of a “German national opera”Start of the SED Theoretical Conference on Stalin’s book “Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR” (December 13 and 14, 1952)1st Workshop of the Commission “Dance Music” of the VDK in BerlinOpinions of GDR Composers on the Soviet Anti-Formalism Decision of 1948A Theoretical Dance Conference organized by the State Commission for Art Affairs begins in Berlin (March 23 and 24, 1953)In the GDR, it is decreed that dance and light music may only be played in public by professional musiciansIn April 1953, the debate in “Musik und Gesellschaft” about Fritz Reuter’s theory of harmony began, which lasted until February 1954Stanislavski Conference in BerlinThe first Richard Wagner Festival Week begins in Dessau (May 4–8, 1953)Decision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the SED “On the Serious Shortcomings of the Karl Marx Celebration of the Central Committee”The SED’s campaign against Hanns Eisler’s opera libretto “Johann Faustus” begins with a review in the NDThe SED proclaims the “New Course”East German uprising of 1953MuG publishes “Proposals of the VDK for the further development of our musical life” as a special print of issue 8/1953The VDK meeting begins in Kienbaum (October 2–6, 1953)The 1st Wartburg Meeting of German Singers takes place in Eisenach (October 23–25, 1953)A Franz Schubert Festival Week (November 13–19, 1953) begins in Berlin to mark the 125th anniversary of the composer’s deathFoundation of the Workers’ Song ArchiveVEB Deutscher Verlag für Musik is founded in LeipzigFormation of the Ministry of CultureThe 4th Party Congress of the SED begins in Berlin (March 30–April 6, 1954)A conference of the VDK begins in Berlin (April 8–12, 1954)The 2nd VDK Congress begins in Leipzig together with the 1954 Music Festival (October 23–31, 1954)The 1st German Dance Conference is held in BerlinThe Schoenberg tribute of the DAK begins with a concert (December 15–17, 1954)Reconstitution of the Commission “Mass Song” of the VDK in BerlinWorld premiere of the “Rosenberg-Kantate” (“Rosenberg Cantata”) by Leo SpiesFounding of the Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Gesellschaft in Halle (Saale)The Festival of Contemporary Music begins in Weimar (May 20–24, 1955)The 1st Festival of German Folk Dancing begins in Rudolstadt (June 24–26, 1955)The annual meeting of the Gesellschaft für Musikforschung begins in Leipzig (September 29–October 2, 1955)The 1st German Folk Music Days begin in Meissen (October 8 and 9, 1955)A workshop on folk art issues begins in Meissen (October 10 and 11, 1955)The 25th Meeting of the Central Committee of the SED begins in Berlin (October 24–27, 1955)4th German Writers’ Congress in BerlinA Mozart tribute begins in Berlin (January 22–29, 1956)The central board meeting of the VDK begins in Hildburghausen (March 17 and 18, 1956)A conference of music educators begins in Leipzig (May 19–21, 1956)German Robert Schumann Honors in ZwickauThe 28th Session of the Central Committee of the SED begins in Berlin (July 27–29, 1956)The 2nd All-German Music Festival begins in Coburg (August 29–September 3, 1956)29th Session of the Central Committee of the SEDIn an essay published in “Neues Deutschland” under the title “Was wir wollen und was wir nicht wollen” (“What we want and what we don’t want”), Walter Ulbricht explains the lessons of the SED from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956Opera symposium of the VDK in Berlin (January 1957)In the GDR, the order issued on March 27, 1953, according to which dance and light music may only be played in public by professional musicians, is repealed30th Session of the Central Committee of the SED in Berlin (January 30–February 1, 1957)MuG publishes music-aesthetic statements by Siegfried Köhler and Paul KurzbachThe Central Delegates Conference of the VDK begins in Berlin (February 23 and 24, 1957)Foundation of the Robert-Schumann-Gesellschaft in ZwickauIn Halle begin the 2nd German Folk Music Days (April 19–22, 1957)Debate evening of the Kulturbund in Leipzig32nd Session of the Central Committee of the SED in Berlin (July 10–12, 1957)The “Berliner Festtage” festival opens in Berlin (October 2–15, 1957)Foundation of the publishing house Verlag Neue Musik BerlinThe 33rd Session of the Central Committee of the SED begins in Berlin (October 16–19, 1957)The (First) Cultural Conference of the SED begins in Berlin (October 23 and 24, 1957)2nd Music Critics Conference in BerlinIn the GDR, a decree is issued stating that at least 60 percent of the repertoire of all entertainment and dance music events must come from socialist countriesIn Weimar, the 1958 Music Days begin (April 10–13, 1958)School Music Days begin in Wernigerode (May 24–26, 1958)The first festival week “Ostseewoche” (“Baltic Sea Week”) takes place in RostockThe 5th Party Congress of the SED begins in Berlin (July 10–16, 1958)In the East Berlin Club der Kulturschaffenden a debate takes place about the incidents concerning the West Berlin appearance of Bill HaleyThe quarterly journal “Beiträge zur Musikwissenschaft” begins to appearA dance music conference begins in Lauchhammer (January 13–15, 1959)A Mendelssohn Festival Week begins in Leipzig (February 1–8, 1959)A musicological conference begins in Leipzig (February 3 and 4, 1959)A working conference of young musicologists begins in Berlin (February 12–16, 1959)Declaration of the Central Committee of the SED on the occasion of the Handel commemorative year 1959Prize competition for dance and light music (March 1959)A Conference on Contemporary Chamber Music Begins in Quedlinburg (March 14 and 15, 1959)The GDR’s Handel Honors begin in Halle (Saale) (April 11–19, 1959)(First) Bitterfeld ConferenceIn the district of Halle, the 1st Workers’ Festival of the GDR begins (June 12–21, 1959)The VDK Delegates Conference begins in Leipzig (April 8–10, 1960)Political confrontation at the Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Gesellschaft in HalleThe (2nd) Cultural Conference of the SED begins in Berlin (April 27–29, 1960)Information of the Cultural Department of the Central Committee of the SED on questions of dance music productionYouth Decision of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the SEDMeeting of the Central Board of the VDK in BerlinBeginning of the music festival of the VDK (April 6–17, 1961)In Berlin, the sector border is sealed off, then work begins on building the Berlin WallThe Ministry of Culture issues a directive on the tasks of the Dance and Light Music Working GroupThe meeting of the VDK Central Board begins in Geltow near Potsdam (September 22 and 23, 1961)Order on the music schools enactedMeeting of composers and writers in Berlin (November 1961)A Popular Science Conference begins in Eisenhüttenstadt (November 17–19, 1961)Meeting of the central board of the VDK in BerlinThe 1st Conference of Amateur Dance Musicians of the GDR begins in Leipzig (March 23–25, 1962)Foundation of the Music Council of the GDR[1st] Meeting of Young Composers from Socialist Countries in Prague (June 1962)A music critics’ conference is held in Berlin (June 1962)Meeting of the SED Party Active of the VDK in WeimarThe 17th Session of the Central Committee of the SED takes place in BerlinA symposium on musical reception research begins in Halle (Saale) (November 16–18, 1962)Poetry evening at the German Academy of Arts in BerlinThe 6th Party Congress of the SED begins in Berlin (January 15–21, 1963)A meeting of leading Soviet party and state functionaries with literary figures and artists begins in Moscow (March 7 and 8, 1963)The ‘March Consultation’ of the party and state leadership with writers and artists begins in Berlin (March 25 and 26, 1963)The VDK Delegates Conference begins in Berlin (May 16 and 17, 1963)The Kafka Conference of the Czechoslovak Writers’ Union begins at Liblice Castle near Prague (May 27 and 28, 1963)The 1st International Seminar of Marxist Musicologists begins in Prague (May 27–June 1, 1963)Appointment of Kurt Turba as Chairman of the Youth Commission at the PolitburoMusicological symposium in Geltow for young musicologists and music educators (September 1963)The Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED adopts a ‘Youth Communiqué’Foundation of the Berliner SingakademieThe Festival of New Music begins in various places in the GDR (November 8–17, 1963)Conference on questions of dance and light music in Berlin (December 1963)The 2nd “Bitterfeld Conference” begins in Bitterfeld (April 24 and 25, 1964)The People’s Chamber passes the 2nd Youth Law of the GDRThe (3rd) German Youth Meeting begins in Berlin (May 16–18, 1964)The [1st] Music Congress of the GDR and the Delegates Conference of the VDK begin in Berlin (September 20–22, 1964)The 2nd International Meeting of Young Composers and Musicologists begins in Sofia (October 22–27, 1964)The Cultural Department of the Central Committee of the SED forms a “Dance Music Working Group”Meeting of young composers of the GDR in Berlin (December 1964)Draft of a perspective program in the field of music (December 1964)The 7th Session of the Central Committee of the SED takes place in BerlinReception of writers by Walter Ulbricht in the official residence of the State CouncilPaul Dessau becomes honorary member of the VDKThe record label AMIGA releases the LP compilation “Big Beat” produced in October 1964The 1965 Festival of Contemporary Music begins in Berlin (March 15–21, 1965)Joint meeting of the College of the Ministry of Culture and the Central Board of the VDK in BerlinThe record label AMIGA releases a licensed LP with early hits of the BeatlesThe Department of Culture of the Central Council of the FDJ adopts a policy document “on the work with the guitar groups”The (2nd) Central Performance Comparison of Amateur Dance Musicians of the GDR begins in Magdeburg (May 27–30, 1965)The 2nd International Seminar of Marxist Musicologists begins in Berlin (June 22–27, 1965)Call for a competition of “guitar groups”The record label AMIGA releases the LP compilation “Big Beat II” recorded in 1964/65Information sheet of the VDK published (September 1965)A guest performance by the Rolling Stones at the Waldbühne in West Berlin is accompanied by serious rioting by young peopleDecision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the SED “On Some Questions of Youth Work and the Occurrence of Hooligan Groups”First meeting of the “Liedschaffen” Commission of the VDK in BerlinIn Leipzig, young people demonstrate against the withdrawal of the playing permit for beat groupsDance and light musicians are now only allowed to perform music with a state playing permitDecision of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED on “Ideological Questions in the Field of Culture”Decision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the SED on “Ideological Questions in the Field of Culture”Walter Ulbricht’s Talk with Politicians and Writers in the Official Seat of the Council of StateThe Department of Culture of the Central Committee of the SED provides an “Expert Opinion on Beat Music”The 11th m meeting of the Central Committee of the SED began in Berlin (December 16–18, 1965)Musicologist Veit Ernst advocates the recognition of traditional forms of dance music in the “Neues Deutschland”Musicologist Horst Seeger comments on popular music in the “Neues Deutschland”New edition of “Komponisten und Musikwissenschaftler der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik“ published (March 1966)In an essay, the party-loyal literary scholars Erwin Pracht and Werner Neubert call for adherence to the theory of Socialist RealismErnst Hermann Meyer advocates the recognition of beat music in “Neues Deutschland”Decision of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED “Problems of Youth Work after the 11th Session of the Central Committee of the SED”A performance by the Danish pop singing duo Jan & Kjeld in Cottbus triggers riots by young peopleDocument of the VDK published3rd International Meeting of Young Composers and Musicologists from Socialist Countries in Ohrid (Yugoslavia) (October 1966)Working Consultation of the VDK and the German Cultural Association in LeipzigThe 1st Theoretical Conference of the VDK begins in Berlin (December 9 and 10, 1966)Agreement between the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Culture and the VDKA Working Conference of Music Critics Begins in Leipzig (February 21 and 22, 1967)A statement against the Swingle Singers’ interpretation of Bach appears in “Neues Deutschland”1st Berlin Music BiennaleMeeting on the occasion of the formation of the Lied Commission at the Ministry of Culture7th Party Congress of the SED in BerlinThe People’s Chamber passes the law on the perspective plan for the development of the national economy of the German Democratic Republic until 1970Musicological Conference in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the October Revolution in LeipzigThe 5th meeting of the State Council of the GDR takes place in Berlin, at which the resolution “The Tasks of Culture in the Development of the Socialist Human Community” is adoptedThe 2nd Theoretical Conference of the VDK begins in Berlin (January 12 and 13, 1968)The 3rd Seminar of Young Composers begins in Halle (Saale) (February 20–25, 1968)A Popular Science Conference begins in Zwickau (March 20–31, 1968)Funeral service for Nathan Notowicz in the Apollo Hall of the Deutsche Staatsoper BerlinThe 4th Meeting of Young Composers and Musicologists of Socialist Countries begins in Eger (Hungary) (April 22–27, 1968)Demolition of the Leipzig University Church of St. PauliProtest action against the demolition of the Leipzig University Church of St. Pauli at the final concert of the 3rd International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in the Congress Hall at the Leipzig ZooThe Hanns Eisler Prize is endowed and awarded for the first time in LeipzigThe ND publishes an essay by the composer Siegfried Köhler on the “Tasks for Young Composers”The ND publishes an essay on the “fairy tale of a unified culture”VDK composition contest announcedConsulting for dance musicians in Berlin (September 1968)Prohibition of the Gesellschaft für Musikforschung in the GDRConstituent meeting of the Council for Cultural and Artistic Studies at the Minister for Culture in BerlinThe 13th session of the State Council of the GDR is held in BerlinThe 9th Session of the Central Committee of the SED takes place in BerlinResolution of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the SED “Die weitere Entwicklung der marxistisch-leninistischen Gesellschaftswissenschaften in der DDR” (“The further development of Marxist-Leninist social sciences in the GDR”)The Central Delegates Conference of the VDK begins in Leipzig (October 31–November 2, 1968)Hanns Eisler Conference in BerlinThe Leipzig party aesthete Erhard John publishes an essay in the SED journal “Einheit” entitled “Kultur- und Kunstwissenschaften als Leitungswissenschaften” (“Cultural and Art Studies as Leadership Sciences”)2nd Berlin Music Biennale10th Session of the Central Committee of the SEDVerlag Neue Musik Berlin publishes Volume I of the new series “Sammelbände zur Musikgeschichte der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik“ (May 1969)Walther Siegmund-Schultze publishes an essay in the SED journal “Einheit” entitled “Die Musik im geistig-kulturellen Leben der DDR” (“Music in the spiritual-cultural life of the GDR”)Speech by the Minister of Culture, Klaus Gysi, to the Artistic-Scientific Council of the Ministry of CultureForum “Vindication and summary of the concert plan discussion in Halle”6th German Writers’ Congress in BerlinNational Prize for Art and Literature awarded in 1969Clashes between rock fans and security forces in East Berlin over rumor that the Rolling Stones were playing on the roof of the Springer skyscraper in West BerlinWalter Ulbricht publishes an essay in the SED journal “Einheit” on “the development of socialist culture in the German Democratic Republic”The 3rd Theoretical Conference of the VDK begins in Berlin (November 13 and 14, 1969)In Leipzig begins the 1st performance show of the entertainment art of the GDR (January 27–February 2, 1970)1st Festival of Political Songs in BerlinConstituent Meeting of the Beethoven Committee of the German Democratic Republic in BerlinThe head of the Cultural Department of the Central Committee of the SED, Arno Hochmuth, publishes an essay on “Leninism and Socialist Cultural Policy in the GDR” together with Werner Kahle in the SED journal “Einheit”The 5th Meeting of Young Composers of Socialist Countries begins in Weimar (May 9–15, 1970)Colloquium of the German Cultural Association on Development Problems of Socialist Culture in the SeventiesThe Presidium of the German Writers’ Union disapproves of the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Alexander SolzhenitsynBeethoven honor of the GDR on the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birthWith “Rhythmus 71” the “Aktion ‘Rhythmus’” of the Committee for Entertainment Art of the GDR takes place for the first timeIdeas consultation with writers and visual artists in the State Council of the GDR4th International Seminar of Marxist Musicologists in Sofia (February 1971)2nd Festival of Political Songs in Berlin3rd Berlin Music BiennaleCeremonial meeting of the Central Board of the VDK on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the AssociationIn an essay published in the SED journal "Einheit," cultural official Alexander Abusch explains how GDR artists should deal with conflicts in their worksIn an ND article, the writer and journalist Erik Neutsch, who is loyal to the party, interprets the letters to the editor printed in GDR newspapers as a way of the working people exercising powerThe 8th Party Congress of the SED begins in Berlin (June 15–19, 1971)Cultural official Friedhelm Grabe comments on ideological guidelines for commissioning artistsA “Methodical Center for Entertainment Arts” is formed at the Ministry of CultureIn preparation of the 2nd Music Congress, Ernst Hermann Meyer and Wolfgang Lesser publish an article in NDThe 4th Session of the Central Committee of the SED Begins in Berlin (December 16 and 17, 1971)An anonymous essay on the “Tasks of Cultural and Artistic Studies after the 8th Party Congress of the SED” appears in the “Weimarer Beiträge”In the magazine “Musik-Forum” published by the Central House for Cultural Work of the GDR, the “Main Tasks for the Composing Labourers in the Years 1971–1975” are published3rd Festival of Political Songs in BerlinConference on questions of social commissioning in the field of music in BerlinThe SED magazine “Einheit” publishes an interview with the composer Günter KochanA Popular Science Conference Begins in Frankfurt (Oder) (March 3 and 4, 1972)At the plenum of the Academy of Arts on the topic “Problems and Tasks of the Creative Partnership between the Working Class and the Arts” Kurt Hager gives a speech “Working Class and Artists”A dance music conference begins in Berlin (April 24 and 25, 1972)Order No. 2 on the music schools enactedThe 6th Session of the Central Committee of the SED Begins in Berlin (July 6 and 7, 1972)The party-loyal cultural theorist Hans Koch publishes an essay in the “Weimarer Beiträge” on “the cultural policy of the SED”An article by Ursula Apel and Werner Rackwitz on “music in the intellectual and cultural life of the GDR” appears in the SED journal “Einheit”The party-loyal literary scholar Werner Neubert publishes an essay on the cultural-political line of the 6th meeting of the Central Committee of the SEDThe party-loyal cultural theorist Hans Koch publishes an essay in the “Weimarer Beiträge” on “Culture in the Developed Socialist Society”In Frankfurt (Oder), the 1st FDJ Workshop Week “Youth Dance Music” begins (October 21–28, 1972)Renaming of the VDK to “ Verband der Komponisten und Musikwissenschaftler der DDR” (VKM)The 2nd Music Congress of the GDR begins in Berlin (November 17–19, 1972)In the journal „Probleme des Friedens und des Sozialismus“ (“Problems of Peace and Socialism”) Kurt Hager explains the cultural policy of the SED after the 8th Party CongressFoundation of the Committee for Entertainment Art of the GDR“Sinn und Form” publishes a reader’s discussion of Ulrich Plenzdorf’s “Die neuen Leiden des jungen W.” (“The new Sorrows of Young W.”)Wolfgang Harich publishes a polemical essay in “Sinn und Form” against Heiner Müller4th Berlin Music BiennaleThe 5th International Seminar of Marxist Musicologists (March 26–30, 1973) begins in BudapestThe weekly cultural-political newspaper “Sonntag” publishes a speech of the Minister of Culture, Hans-Joachim HoffmannThe 9th Meeting of the Central Committee of the SED takes place in Berlin (28 and 29 May 1973)Order on the formation of the General Directorate at the Committee for Entertainment ArtsIn a speech, Politburo member Hermann Axen defines the “socialist nation in the GDR”The 10th World Festival of Youth and Students begins in Berlin (July 28–August 5, 1973)Discotheque regulations enactedThe ND publishes an article by Kurt Hager on “the rapprochement of the cultures of the brother countries”In the GDR, the Hochschullehrerberufungsverordnung (HBVO) now also applies to artistic universitiesHans Koch, a cultural theorist loyal to the party, explains the SED’s cultural policy in a lecture to the Presidential Council of the Cultural League of the GDRThe international colloquium “Hanns Eisler heute” takes place in Berlin on the occasion of the composer’s 75th birthday7th Writers’ Congress of the German Democratic Republic in BerlinKurt Hager lectures at the “Parteihochschule ‘Karl Marx’” (Party Academy Karl Marx) on “ideological problems of our time”4th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinND publishes Kurt Hager’s essay on “The Politics of the Party and the Tasks of Marxist-Leninist Philosophy” published in the Soviet journal “Voprosy Filosofii” (“Problems of Philosophy”)ND publishes Kurt Hager’s article on the coordination of the ideological work of the socialist “brother parties” published in “Pravda”In an essay in the SED journal “Einheit,” cultural politicians Hans-Joachim Hoffmann and Werner Kühn comment on artistic commissionsAn editorial in the ND on artistic commissions emphasizes the “democratic scope of commissioning” and the “creative cooperation” between client and artistThe “Dance Music Festival of Youth” begins in Plauen (August 23–25, 1974), during which young people clash with the police1st GDR Music Days in BerlinExtraordinary Delegates Conference of the VKM in Berlin1st Meeting of the Musicologists of the GDR in BerlinAn essay by Horst Slomma on “Entertainment Culture in Our Lives” appears in the SED journal “Einheit”13th Session of the Central Committee of the SED in Berlin (December 12–14, 1974)5th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin5th Berlin Music BiennaleWorkshop on issues of written and spoken concert introductions in BerlinChamber Music Composition Competition (May 1975)The conference “Music and Criticism” begins in Berlin (June 12 and 13, 1975)FDJ Cultural Conference in WeimarProhibition of Klaus Renft Combo6th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinThe 2nd Conference of Musicologists of the GDR begins in Berlin (February 20 and 21, 1976)2nd GDR Music Days in BerlinThe Minister of Culture shall grant legal capacity to institutions, associations and societies in the field of cultureLutz Kirchenwitz publishes “Theses on the FDJ Singing Movement”The IXth Party Congress of the SED takes place in BerlinIn Altenburg, the 1000-year celebration of the city begins (July 9–11, 1976), during which there are riots by youthful rock fansConcert by Wolf Biermann in Prenzlau (Biermann’s last public appearance in the GDR before his expatriation from the GDR)Conference on the Establishment of the Multilateral Commission of Socialist Countries for Problems of Cultural Theory, Literary and Artistic Sciences in BerlinIn Cologne Wolf Biermann gives the first concert of his tour through the Federal Republic of GermanyWolf Biermann’s GDR citizenship is revokedTwelve prominent writers protest to the GDR government against the expatriation of Wolf BiermannA press campaign begins in the GDR in support of Wolf Biermann’s expatriation, in which numerous artists participate7th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin6th Berlin Music BiennaleBeethoven tribute in the GDR on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s deathCouncil of Ministers Decision on the “Nationale Forschungs- und Gedenkstätten Johann Sebastian Bach der DDR” (“Foundation of the National Research and Memorial Sites Johann Sebastian Bach of the GDR”)The VKM Delegates Conference begins in Berlin (May 11 and 12, 1977)Tilo Medek released from GDR citizenshipRiots between youths and the Volkspolizei on Alexanderplatz in BerlinDecision of the Politburo on the “Tasks of Literary and Art Criticism”The 3rd Conference of the Musicologists of the GDR begins in Halle (Saale) (December 2 and 3, 1977)3rd GDR Music Days in Berlin8th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinResolution of the Office of the Central Council of the FDJ “Experiences and Points of View on the Political Leadership of the FDJ Singing Clubs by the Leaderships of the FDJ”In an interview with the West German weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”, the writer Franz Fühmann complains about a lack of publicity in the GDR8th Writers’ Congress of the German Democratic Republic in BerlinAdvice on problems of film music in Berlin4st FDJ Workshop Week Youth Dance Music in Suhl (October 15–21, 1978)The 9th Meeting of the Central Committee of the SED takes place in Berlin (13 and 14 December, 1978)9th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin7th Berlin Music BiennaleThe 4th Conference of the Musicologists of the GDR begins in Berlin (February 22–24, 1979)The cultural-political weekly “Sonntag” prints a conversation about literary issuesThe ND publishes a letter from the writer Dieter Noll to Erich HoneckerMeeting of the Presidium of the Writers’ Association of the GDR in BerlinBoard Meeting of the Writers’ Association of the GDR in BerlinThe first Blues Mass takes place in the Samariterkirche in East BerlinThe General Assembly of the Berlin District Association of the Writers’ Association of the GDR expels nine authors from the AssociationErich Honecker’s consultation with cultural and artistic workers of the GDRConcert in honor of Paul Dessau at the German State Opera BerlinThe second Blues Mass takes place in the Samariterkirche in East BerlinThe third Blues Mass takes place in the Samariterkirche in East BerlinFestive meeting of the Central Board of the VKM in Berlin“Musikgeschichte der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik 1945–1976” published (October 1979)Premiere of the DEFA film “Solo Sunny” by Konrad Wolf10th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin4th GDR Music Days in BerlinThe fourth Blues Mass takes place in the Samariterkirche in East BerlinIn an essay, Gregor Schirmer, deputy head of the Science Department of the Central Committee of the SED, tries to prove Honecker’s thesis that in the GDR spirit and power are unitedThe fifth Blues Mass takes place in the Samariterkirche in East BerlinInformation sheet of the VKM published (May 1980)The sixth Blues Mass takes place in two East Berlin churches (Samariterkirche and Auferstehungskirche)The seventh Blues Mass takes place in two East Berlin churches (Samariterkirche and Auferstehungskirche)A National Council of the GDR for the Care and Dissemination of German Cultural Heritage is formed at the Council of MinistersThe ninth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe 5th Conference of the Musicologists of the GDR begins in Zwickau (November 21 and 22, 1980)11th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin8th Berlin Music BiennaleThe tenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East Berlin4th Theoretical Conference of the VKM (at the same time 6th Conference of Musicologists of the GDR) in MagdeburgThe eleventh Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe “Berliner Begegnung zur Friedensförderung” begins in East Berlin (December 13 and 14, 1981)12th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin5th GDR Music Days in BerlinThe twelfth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe thirteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinFDJ cultural conference in Leipzig (October 21 and 22, 1982)13th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin10th Berlin Music BiennaleLecture by Walther Siegmund-Schultze to members of the Presidium of the Composers’ Associations of the Socialist Countries on the Occasion of the Karl Marx Year 1983 in MoscowThe fourteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East Berlin9th Writers’ Congress of the German Democratic Republic in BerlinThe fifteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe 7th Conference of the Musicologists of the GDR begins in Berlin (September 22 and23, 1983)The sixteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East Berlin1st FDJ International Song TourFirst appearance of Udo Lindenberg in the GDRConstitution of the “Komitee für die Bach-Händel-Schütz-Ehrung der DDR 1985” (Committee for the Bach Handel Schütz Honoring of the GDR 1985)The rock music festival “Rock für den Frieden” (“Rock for Peace”), organized by the FDJ, is held for the third time in Berlin’s Palast der RepublikAt “Rock for Peace,” the Puhdys fill in for the West German band BAP14th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin6th GDR Music Days in BerlinThe seventeenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinAndré Heller stages his “Feuertheater mit Klangwolke” in West BerlinMeeting of Erich Honecker with artists and cultural workers of the GDRReconstitution of the Committee for Entertainment Arts10th Berlin Music Biennale15th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin34th Handel Festival of the GDR in Halle (Saale), which also marks the start of the “Bach-Händel-Schütz-Ehrung der DDR 1985” (Bach Handel Schütz Honoring of the GDR 1985)At the plenary session of the Academy of Arts of the GDR on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Academy, the National Research and Memorial Centers of the GDR for German Art and Literature of the 20th Century are foundedThe rock music festival “Rock für den Frieden” (“Rock for Peace”), organized by the FDJ, is held for the fourth time in Berlin’s Palast der RepublikThe eighteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe rock music festival “Rock für den Frieden” (“Rock for Peace”), organized by the FDJ, is held for the fifth time in Berlin’s Palast der RepublikWorld premiere of Reiner Bredemeyer’s opera “Candide” in Halle (Saale)16th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin7th GDR Music Days in Berlin11th Party Congress of the SED in BerlinFirst of three art happenings on the Elbe organised by the Dresden organ builder Kristian Wegscheider between 1986 and 1988The cultural agreement between the two German states comes into forceThe nineteenth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinThe twentieth Blues Mass takes place on the grounds of the Erlöserkirche in East Berlin5th Theoretical Conference of the VKM (at the same time 7th Conference of Musicologists of the GDR) in NeubrandenburgThe rock music festival “Rock für den Frieden” (“Rock for Peace”), organized by the FDJ, is held for the sixth (and last) time in Berlin’s Palast der Republik11th Berlin Music Biennale17th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinThe rock festival “Concert for Berlin” begins in West Berlin (June 6–8, 1987)Open letter from Udo Lindenberg to Erich HoneckerAn Evangelical Church Assembly begins in Berlin (June 24–28, 1987)Second of three art happenings on the Elbe organised by the Dresden organ builder Kristian Wegscheider between 1986 and 19884th Berlin Rocksommer, the largest rock festival in the GDR to date on the Insel der Jugend and in Treptower ParkJoint performance by Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan in East Berlin1st Dresden Days of Contemporary MusicConcert of the West Berlin indie rock band Element of Crime in the East Berlin Zion Church10th Writers’ Congress of the German Democratic Republic in Berlin18th Festival of Political Songs in Berlin8th GDR Music Days in BerlinConcert of the English synth-rock band Depeche Mode in East BerlinThird of three art happenings on the Elbe organised by the Dresden organ builder Kristian Wegscheider between 1986 and 1988The rock festival “Peace Week of Berlin Youth” begins in East Berlin (June 16–19, 1988)The rock festival “Berlin Rock Marathon” begins in West Berlin (June 16, 18 and 19, 1988)Bruce Springsteen open-air concert in East BerlinThe annual conference of the musicologists of the GDR begins in Weimar (November 15 and 16, 1988)“Sputnik” ban12th Berlin Music Biennale19th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinThe Congress of the Entertainment Arts of the GDR begins in Berlin (March 1 and 2, 1989)Rock concerts in Dresden and Dortmund to commemorate the beginning of the Second World WarResolution of rock musicians and songwritersA “Concert against Violence” takes place in the Erlöserkirche in East BerlinExtraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Rock Section of the Committee for Entertainment Art of the GDR in BerlinConsultation of the Presidium of the Committee for Entertainment Art of the GDRThe event “Hierbleiber für Hierbleiber” (“Remainers for Remainers”) takes place in the Berlin Haus der jungen TalenteAll Berlin rock concert in East BerlinIn an appeal “Für unser Land” (“For our country”), 31 GDR citizens call for the GDR to be preserved as an alternative to the Federal Republic of GermanyThe event “Verlorene Lieder – verlorene Zeiten” takes place in the Berlin Haus der jungen TalenteFoundation of the culture house "Im Eimer" in a squatted house in East Berlin20th Festival of Political Songs in BerlinBritish rock band Pink Floyd celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall with a concert at the inner-German border in Berlin

Topic

Bitterfeld wayCensorship and Self-censorshipClear-cut plenumCultural policyCybernetics/SystemEarly Music Performance PracticeMusic criticismMusic historiography, MarxistMusic societiesMusic work order systemMusicology

Year

19521956