Dr. Lars-Christian Koch: A Life Dedicated to Music, Culture, and Cross-Cultural Understanding
Dr. Lars-Christian Koch is a distinguished German ethnomusicologist, musicologist, author, and museum leader whose lifelong engagement with Indian and world music has earned him international acclaim. In 2026, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, one of the nation’s highest civilian awards, in recognition of his decades of scholarship that has not only deepened global understanding of Indian music but also helped position it as a significant field within ethnomusicological studies.
Born in 1959 in Peine, a historic town in Lower Saxony, Germany, Koch’s academic journey began with studies in ethnology and musicology, culminating in a PhD that combined these disciplines and set the stage for his future work on Indian classical music and musical cultures.
Academic Foundations and Scholarly Contributions
Koch completed his doctoral research in Bonn, Germany, where he explored the nuanced intersections of aesthetics, emotion, and musical structure. His 1994 dissertation focused on the rasa doctrine of North Indian classical music, an ancient framework for understanding aesthetic experience, and compared it to Western theories of “affection” used in Baroque music aesthetics. By doing so, Koch offered a scholarly method for interpreting Indian music through its own conceptual vocabulary rather than simply translating it into Western terms.
This work was foundational in affirming that Indian music traditions hold complex theoretical systems worthy of rigorous academic inquiry, bridging cultures rather than subsuming one under another. Koch’s approach was to respect the internal logic of Indian musical philosophy, showing how emotional and aesthetic frameworks shape performance and listening practices in classical traditions.
Fieldwork and Cultural Immersion
Beyond theoretical studies, Koch has undertaken extensive field research in India and South Korea, investigating musical practices, instrument traditions, and the cultural life of sound. His ethnomusicological lens focuses on organology—the study of musical instruments—and he has documented the rich histories behind instrument manufacture and use, including the decline of traditional luthier workshops.
One of his notable works, Sitar and Surbahar Manufacturing: The Tradition of Kanailal & Brother, chronicles the craft of a legendary instrument maker in Kolkata. Through interviews and detailed descriptions, Koch captured the technical expertise, cultural importance, and personal narratives of craftsmen whose traditions were fading with modernization.
Interpreting Rabindranath Tagore’s Musical Legacy
Koch’s book My Heart Sings: The Songs of Rabindranath Tagore Between Tradition and Modernity is another landmark contribution. Here, he explored how Tagore’s compositions—collectively known as Rabindra Sangeet—navigate between classical traditions and modern artistic expression. By situating Tagore’s songs within Indian musical contexts and global aesthetics, Koch provided readers a framework to appreciate Tagore’s work as both deeply rooted in Indian culture and universally resonant.
This study not only illuminated the significance of Rabindra Sangeet but also helped international audiences engage with Tagore’s artistic vision beyond literary fame, seeing his music as a dynamic cultural form with philosophical, social, and emotive dimensions.
Museum Leadership and Global Cultural Dialogue
Koch’s scholarly pursuits extended into the world of museum curation and cultural heritage. He has served in several key roles, most notably as Head of Media, Ethnomusicology, and Visual Anthropology, including stewardship of the Berlin Phonogram Archive—one of the world’s most significant repositories of historical sound recordings.
In 2018, he became director of the Ethnologisches Museum and the Museum of Asian Art within Berlin’s Humboldt Forum, an institution at the forefront of global cultural dialogue. Under his leadership, the museum prioritized exhibitions that emphasize authentic representation and critical engagement with cultural histories, even as debates around colonial artifacts and restitution continue.
In October 2025, Koch took on a new role as Director of the State Ethnographic Collections of Saxony, overseeing important museums in Dresden, Leipzig, and Herrnhut. This position places him at the center of efforts to reinterpret ethnographic collections in ways that foster ethical museum practices and meaningful intercultural exchange.
Teaching and Mentorship
A dedicated educator, Koch holds professorships at institutions including the University of Cologne and the University of the Arts, Berlin, and has served as a guest professor at the University of Vienna and the University of Chicago. His teaching emphasizes critical engagement with musical traditions worldwide, encouraging students to explore sound cultures with depth and respect.
Through his academic roles, Koch has mentored generations of scholars, many of whom continue to advance research in ethnomusicology and related disciplines. His influence is seen not just in published scholarship but in the scholars and practitioners who bring nuanced perspectives to global music studies.
Recognition and Impact
The Padma Shri award bestowed by the Government of India in 2026 acknowledges Koch’s extraordinary contributions to the understanding and appreciation of Indian music, both in India and abroad. This recognition reflects not only his scholarship but also his commitment to cultural exchange and mutual respect between traditions.
Dr. Lars-Christian Koch’s work stands as a testament to the power of musicology to bridge cultural divides—affirming that musical traditions, when studied with integrity and insight, can illuminate shared human experiences across continents and centuries. His legacy is one of dialogue, discovery, and deep respect for the world’s soundscapes.
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