We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gerhart Baum. With his passing, we have lost not only one of the most prominent voices in German cultural policy, but also a particularly passionate advocate of contemporary music. In these precarious times for the arts, this loss weighs particularly heavily.

As a member of our circle of friends, Gerhart Baum was an extremely committed and persuasive supporter and defender of artistic freedom. Through the Gerhart and Renate Baum Foundation, he commissioned several compositions in collaboration with the Ensemble Musikfabrik and was particularly committed to promoting young talent. Numerous initiatives, from which we and many other creative professionals in Cologne benefit, can be traced back to his commitment.

We are deeply grateful to him and his wife Renate Liesmann-Baum. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her and all her relatives. The life and legacy of Gerhart Baum as a tireless defender of artistic freedom and courageous promoter of contemporary music will serve as a role model and continual inspiration to us.