About the company

The Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Klassischen Musik gemeinnützige GmbH. is currently in the process of being founded. The overarching aim of the organisation is to develop initiatives to raise the profile and visibility of classical music. The aim is to anchor classical music emotionally and effectively in people's lives across different generations and demographics and to emphasise its positive value as an integral part of our culture.

Nick Hellenbroich, Managing Director, sees a crucial mission here: ‘Especially in turbulent times, classical music also has the task of illuminating the many facets of being human and making nuances audible again. It promotes the ability to listen, of differentiated thinking, empathy and the ability to appreciate and live diversity. This diversity is also reflected in the composition of the shareholders, whose common goal is the promotion of classical music.’

The shareholders are Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft mbH, DKG Deutsche Klassik GmbH, MünchenMusik GmbH & Co. KG, Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH, TONALi gemeinnützige GmbH and Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH.

Dr. Clemens Trautmann, Deutsche Grammophon, Burkhard Glashoff, DKG Deutsche Klassik GmbH, und Nick Hellenbroich, MünchenMusik GmbH & Co. KG are the managing directors.

An advisory board will be appointed shortly.

The non-profit organisation is a successor to the Verein zur Förderung der Klassischen Musik e.V., which was founded after the German Music Industry Association (BVMI) announced the end of all Echo awards in the pop, classical and jazz categories in 2018 in order to establish a new award for classical music with the OPUS KLASSIK .

Clemens Trautmann, CEO, emphasises: ‘Since its launch in 2018, the OPUS KLASSIK has been an award by creative artists for creative artists. The award was and is in constant evolution to reflect the multifaceted nature of classical music life and to honour outstanding achievements in the fields of media and recordings, live concerts, composition and publishing in front of the widest possible audience. We are delighted to have reached the next evolutionary stage with our application for non-profit status - and see the new status we are seeking as an obligation to continue to stand up for diversity, excellence and music education.’