Music and Urban Culture in Upper German Free Imperial Cities (1500-1800): Networks of Musicians in Rothenburg/Tauber, Nördlingen and Dinkelsbühl

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Franz Körndle; Professor Dr. Klaus Wolf
• Subject Area: Musicology ; German Medieval Studies (Medieval German Literature)
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 416734751

The aim of the project is the reconstruction of personalized networks in the musical life of the free imperial towns in early modern times, using original sources. On the basis of written examples in a limited region, methods of recording urban structures of communication with respect to the work of professional and free-lance musicians are to be developed, the results of which may be applied to other free imperial cities.The selection has been deliberately limited to a group of three examples from north Swabia and Middle Frankonia. Their geographical proximity, heterogeneity of dialect, favourable condition of the archives and unitary nature of the sources makes them ideal objects for this research. On this basis, the lives of musicians will be described as models and paradigmas; their educational level, professional activity, social origin, mobility and relationships with others. The competitive relationship between those employed in a permanent position and freelance musicians can then be assessed on solid empirical grounds. Note will be taken of how the same musical education could lead to different careers. Whereas a straightforward career, begun as an apprentice to the town musicians and followed by journeyman years led to respected permanent situation elsewhere, an equally qualified colleague might have to put up with precarious conditions of employment. In this state of tension, conflicts between the unequal colleagues could have been the result. These will be made visible as well as the attempts to better perspectives by migration.Inventories of printed and handwritten music and lists of instruments provide ample information on the level aspired to and the quality probably achieved in professional practice. Beyond this, empirical insights can be gained into the musical practice and repertoirein the free imperial towns. Furthermore by examining the sources we gain rich insights into early new high German genres.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants