Laaff, Ernst

Musicologist

Born: 04.11.1903 in Wiesbaden

died: 12.09.1987 in Baden-Baden

Laaff studied music in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Berlin and was awarded his doctorate with a dissertation on Franz Schubert's symphonies. In 1938, he took over the management of the magazine department of the Schott publishing house in Mainz and founded the magazine "Das Musikleben". After his appointment to the University of Mainz in 1949, he founded the Mainz University of Music and directed it until his retirement in 1972.

Laaff was active as a musician and conductor not only in early music on original instruments, but also in contemporary music. During his 24 years as director of the Mainz University of Music, he was also involved in local politics. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the reopening of Johannes Gutenberg University in 1966, he was awarded the Gutenberg statue for his services to the "Collegium musicum". He retired in 1972 and moved to Baden-Baden.