Heiner Goebbels

Heiner Goebbels is a Frankfurt-based Professor of Music and Theatre at The European Graduate School (EGS) and holds an academic position at the Institute for Applied Theater Studies, Justus Liebig University Giessen. He concurrently serves as President of the Theater Academy Hessen. His work deconstructs conventional boundaries between opera, theater, and music, often integrating political themes derived from his sociological studies and radical left-wing influences in the 1970s. Goebbels is renowned for collaborations with Heiner Müller and projects like Surrogate Cities, exploring urban narratives through orchestral composition. His work spans theater, sound installations (e.g., Stifters Dinge), and experimental music with groups like Cassiber and the Ensemble Modern.

Education:

• Studied music and sociology in Frankfurt

Research Interests: Goebbels’ work interrogates political expression, intermediality, and collective memory. He merges music, text, and performance to create immersive experiences, such as layering Kierkegaard’s philosophy with Prince’s music. His installations and audio plays challenge traditional forms, emphasizing collaboration and the archaeology of cultural memory.

Key Works & Impact:

• Grammy nominations (2001, 2004) for chamber music compositions
• Pioneered performative installations without performers (e.g., Stifters Dinge)
• Directed Delusion of the Fury and Walden, blending film and theater

Grants & Commissions: Major works like Surrogate Cities were commissioned by institutions like Alte Oper Frankfurt. His projects often arise from collaborations with orchestras and cultural institutions, reflecting his belief in art as a collective endeavor.

Labs/Teams: Collaborated with Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and Cassiber. His methods prioritize interdisciplinary teams, echoing Hans Eisler’s ethos of integrating diverse intellectual fields.