Heidelberg Spring International Music Festival
The Heidelberg Spring International Music Festival fills this historic and picturesque town - an hour south of Frankfurt - with chamber music and song for a whole month. For almost 30 years, the Heidelberg Spring (Heidelberger Frühling), has staged events focused on classical song performance and chamber music.
German songs make up a specific classical music genre, with German poets like Schiller and Rilke set to music by famous composers, including Schubert, Schumann, and Mahler, to name only a few. They are beautiful and emotional works, describing love, loss, bravery, and death. This year's festival sees a total of 164 musical events take over 20 venues across the city.
What spring stands for
To open the festival this year, passionate artists, companions, and young talent will bring to the stage what spring stands for in terms of music. The pianist Igor Levit will join Intendant Thorsten Schmidt as co-artistic directors for the beginning of a five year collaboration.
Highlights of Heidelberger Frühling
The highlights of the Heidelberger Fruhling are the following:
- Ligeti 100
- Melting Points
- Visionaries
- Ideal Ensembles
- Carte Blanche for ...
- Transcultural and Intercultural Programme
- Junior Lab
Getting to the Heidelberg Spring
Heidelberg is an easy one-hour train journey from Frankfurt or Stuttgart. It is recommended to come by public transport, but if you’re coming by car, park outside the old town, as getting in and out of the older part of the city is difficult.
Make it a little city break and check out the ruins of one of the most famous castles in Germany, as well as taking in a few concerts. For more information about the events and tickets, visit the official Heidelberg Spring website.