New German School

The New German School (German: Neudeutsche Schule, pronounced [ˈnɔʏ̯dɔʏ̯tʃə ˈʃuːlə]) is a term introduced in 1859 by Franz Brendel, editor of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik to apply to certain trends in German music. Although the term has frequently been used in essays and books about music history of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a clear definition is complex.

In addition, those held to be representatives of the "New German School" are not all practising musicians. The term is thus problematic. It has been used by different persons at different times with different meanings. It is generally agreed that Franz Liszt was one of the most prominent representatives of the "New German School". There is also a consensus that Johannes Brahms did not take part. Beyond this, interpretations differ. The present article sets out the main elements associated with this term.

Representatives of the New German School conflicted with more conservative musicians in the so-called War of the Romantics.

In 1858 Franz Liszt and Franz Brendel projected a 'Musician's Congress' (Tonkünstler-Versammlung). The necessary funding came from a stipend of 1,000 Thaler from Friedrich Wilhelm Konstantin, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, which Liszt had negotiated. It was also Liszt who had made suggestions for the musical performances at the Congress. It is no cause for surprise that Liszt himself was the most frequently performed contemporary composer at the Congress, and that members of his circle at Weimar were well represented.

The third day of the Tonkünstler-Versammlung, June 3, was opened by Brendel with a speech Zur Anbahnung einer Verständigung ("To open the way to an agreement"). Brendel's speech is the origin of the term "New German School". It was published as printed version in the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik of June 10, 1859.

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