Dr Christian Esch

After studying musicology and receiving a PhD in this field, Esch was awarded a six-month residence at the Deutsches Studienzentrum in Venice and published academic papers, especially on the composers Mozart and Haydn. For many years he was active as a musical dramaturge and dramatic adviser, employed and freelance, in Frankfurt, Innsbruck and Munich, among others. In addition he has published numerous articles and reviews for both newspapers and specialized journals. As a producer and editor he developed and organised state-wide concert series for the Hessischer Rundfunk, programmed theme-based concerts for the RSO Frankfurt and produced numerous radio broadcasts and CD recordings. Esch collaborated for many years with the Goethe Institute's Music Committee and has taught at various academies (Innsbruck, Munich, Cologne). He has been a member of countless juries, including the European Cultural Foundation, and publishes regularly on the subject of culture. He has been director of the NRW KULTURsekretariat since 2004. In 2013 he was awarded the Grimme Online Award for the internet platform nrw-museum.de. Has recently consulted the City of Duisburg in the realization of the Cultural Development Plan.