Wolfgang Gönnenwein (30 August 1933 – 22 March 2015) was a German choral conductor, music educator, and academic administrator.
Early life and education
- Born in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Studied musicology, history, and German literature at the University of Tübingen and the University of Heidelberg.
- Received formal conducting training at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold.
Career
- MDR Rundfunkchor: Served as chief conductor of the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) Choir from 1963 to 1972, expanding its repertoire and international profile.
- Academic positions: Appointed professor of choral conducting at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg in 1973.
- University leadership: Held the presidency of the University of Frankfurt (Johann Wolfgang Goethe University) from 1974 to 1999, overseeing significant academic reforms and the establishment of new research institutes.
- Conducting: Conducted major German and international choirs, including performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Vienna Philharmonic, focusing on works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Heinrich Schütz, and contemporary composers.
Recordings and publications
- Produced numerous recordings of Baroque and Romantic choral works, many released under the Deutsche Grammophon and EMI labels.
- Authored articles on choral technique and music education in scholarly journals; co‑edited the series “Musik in der Hochschule”.
Honors and recognition
- Awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in 1992.
- Received the Frankfurter Literaturpreis for contributions to cultural life in Frankfurt.
Legacy
Gönnenwein is remembered for his contributions to choral performance practice, his role in strengthening university‑based music programs, and his influence on a generation of German conductors and music scholars.
