Wolfgang Hirschmann

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hirschmann is Professor of Historical Musicology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg since March 2007. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy II and the Institute for Music, Media and Speech Sciences. His extensive institutional involvement includes membership in the Senate Commission for Budget and Structure (since 2010), Faculty Commission for Budget and Structure (since 2010), and the Board of Directors of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of the European Enlightenment (since 2008).

Wolfgang Hirschmann's research focuses on Music history of the 17th and 18th centuries, with special emphasis on Handel and Telemann research. His scholarly work extends to Editorial Philology, Music-related cultural transfer research, Music in the Enlightenment thought movement, and the History of medieval music theory. His research profile is characterized by interdisciplinary approaches connecting musicology with cultural history and intellectual movements.

Hirschmann has received significant recognition including the Handel Prize of the City of Halle in 2022 and the Telemann Prize of the state capital Magdeburg in 2025. His scholarly impact extends through major editorial projects including the Halle Handel Edition and the continuation of the Telemann Selection Edition.

• Handel Prize of the City of Halle (2022)
• Telemann Prize of Magdeburg (2025)

Prof. Hirschmann maintains extensive committee work both within and outside the university. He serves as President of the Georg-Friedrich-Handel-Gesellschaft (International Association) since 2009 and President of the Central German Baroque Music Association. His external expertise is sought by prestigious organizations including the German Research Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, and Swiss National Science Foundation.

Hirschmann leads significant research projects including the Halle Handel Edition (until 2023), interdisciplinary DFG projects on Johann Mattheson, and research on the political instrumentalization of historical music in 20th century Germany. His research teams collaborate across international boundaries with institutions in Mainz, Hamburg, Magdeburg, Würzburg, and Graz.