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A statue of Ludwig von Beethoven in Bonn's Münsterplatz square with the Bonn post office in the background
Image: Martin Meissner/AP Photo/picture allianceImage: Martin Meissner/AP Photo/picture alliance

Beethovenfest

Every September, the city of Bonn honors its son Ludwig van Beethoven with a four-week music festival. The festival was first held on a small scale in 1845, and today the program features around 60 performances.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

People of different ethnicities sing on stage. They are predominantly dressed in black.

Beethovenfest: What does music have to do with democracy?

Beethovenfest: What does music have to do with democracy?

Unique Beethovenfest performances mark the anniversaries of Germany's Basic Law and German Unity Day.
MusicOctober 1, 2024
An open air stage bathed in red light with xylophone player in the foreground.

Beethovenfest: Making classical music accessible to all

Beethovenfest: Making classical music accessible to all

Under the motto "Together," the Bonn festival dedicated to Beethoven is aiming for an inclusive experience.
MusicSeptember 10, 2024
A man conducts an orchestra

East meets West in the music of the 2024 Campus Project

East meets West in the music of the 2024 Campus Project

What happens when you bring together nearly 200 young musicians from 40 countries and a composer inspired by Beethoven?
MusicSeptember 2, 2024
Joana Mallwitz is conducting an orchestra at the Konzerthaus Berlin. Behind her is the audience, next to her a woman playing the lead violin.

Berlin conductor brings classical music to the masses

Berlin conductor brings classical music to the masses

Star German conductor Joana Mallwitz is on a mission to bring classical music to a wider audience.
MusicJuly 27, 202405:21 min
Portrait of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, dated around 1805.

How Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' became EU anthem

How Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' became EU anthem

Since 1972, the finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony has been the anthem of the European Community and the EU.
MusicJune 7, 2024
Ludwig van Beethoven, seen in a sketch

What makes Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' so special?

What makes Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' so special?

Through music, the "Anthem of Europe" stands for stated European values like freedom, peace and solidarity.
MusicJune 7, 202404:35 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Musicians sit with their instruments in a darkened room

Afghan musicians play where Taliban can't hear them

Many musicians fled after the Taliban imposed put a strict ban on music when they seized power over two years ago.
MusicSeptember 14, 202302:37 min
Mikhail Khokhlov, man with a white Z on a black sweatshirt

Music students tricked into promoting pro-Putin 'Z'

A video from Moscow's noted Gnesin Russian Academy of Music is an example of how Russia fabricates support for the war.
CultureMarch 25, 2022
Ivan Velikanov

Russian conductor suspended for peace speech

Ivan Velikanov stood up for peace on stage in Russia. That had immediate consequences for the star conductor.
MusicMarch 3, 2022
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