On 22 October Manfred Trojahn celebrates his 70th birthday. Although is too early for an assessment of his life and work, Gerhard R. Koch traces some of the directions and milestones in the composer’s work.

Songs for voice and piano are a constant thread running through Manfred Trojahn’s output. In an interview he reveals his thoughts about setting poetry to music: „to change, without damaging“.

Christoph Prégardien is widely regarded as one of the foremost lyric tenors of our time. In particular, it is his achievements as a lieder singer that are highly acclaimed. Firmly established in his recitals and in his work as a teacher at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Kölnis the cosmos of Franz Schubert’s lieder. Claudia Mücke had a lengthy talk with Prégardien – about singing art songs, about singing lessons, about the importance of editions and, of course, about the genius of Franz Schubert.

Often used, and yet unclear to many. “Urtext” is an ambivalent concept which can mean many different things. Beethoven editor Jonathan Del Mar explains which principles he follows.

Symphonies, concertos, string quartets, piano sonatas: Jonathan Del Mar’s Beethoven editions are convincing from the first to the last note.

Composer, conductor, music manager, educator: in Oliver Knussen, who died on 8 July 2018, the music world has lost one of its giants.

Beat Furrer is to be awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize 2018 for his life’s work. The award ceremony takes place on 3 May 2018 in the Prinzregententheater Munich.