Perhaps you’ve heard whispers of a place where music, theater, and dance intertwine. That place is the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. It is a vibrant hub where artistic dreams take flight. Founded in 1938, this institution is the only state-owned university for music and performing arts in Hesse.
Imagine the scene. A young musician nervously adjusts their bow. A dancer stretches, poised like a coiled spring. An actor runs lines, their voice resonating with emotion. These are the sights and sounds you might encounter within the walls of the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. Around 900 students currently learn here. They are taught by roughly 65 professors. Additionally, there are 320 other teaching staff members.
The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts boasts a rich history. It evolved from the Hoch Conservatory. The Hoch Conservatory was a renowned music school that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hoch Conservatory attracted students from around the globe. It was known for teachers like Clara Schumann and Engelbert Humperdinck. Composers such as Hans Pfitzner and Paul Hindemith studied there. Conductors like Otto Klemperer also attended.
However, the rise of the National Socialists in 1933 cast a dark shadow. Jewish and foreign staff members were removed. The Hoch Conservatory was downgraded. In 1938, the Hochschule für Musik was established. It later became the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik. Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium was initially part of the name. However, it was later dropped. This signified a separation from its past. Joseph Hoch, the conservatory’s benefactor, had wanted the name to remain forever.
World War II brought further disruption. Both institutions closed. After the war, they reopened and now work together. Helmut Walcha, who taught organ, initiated the reopening of the Hochschule in 1947. In 1950, Walther Davisson became artistic director. He restarted performance training. Teaching took place in private homes and the partly ruined conservatory.
In 1956, the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts finally had its own building. It was the former Radio-House of Hessischer Rundfunk. The university expanded in the following decades. New departments like opera, drama, and dance were added. Jazz, popular music, and musicology departments followed. The university gained the right to offer graduate studies in 1989. A new main building and library were constructed from 1990 to 1993.
Today, the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts continues to evolve. It embraces innovation while honoring its legacy. This is a place where talent is nurtured, and artistry flourishes. The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts remains a vital part of Frankfurt’s cultural landscape. Its graduates shape the world of music, theater, and dance. Take a moment to appreciate the dedication and passion that resonate within these walls.