The Music History section of the German Historical Institute (DHI) devotes its activities to researching the musical and historical relations between Italy and the German-speaking countries of Europe, as embedded in their historical contexts. The first steps towards its establishment were taken in 1958, while the official inauguration took place on 14 November 1960.
Directors: Dr. Paul Kast, as part of a DHI scholarship (1958, 1960–1962), Dr. Helmut Hucke, as a researcher at the German Historical Institute (1962–1964), Dr. Friedrich Lippmann (1964–1996), Dr. Markus Engelhardt (1997–2022), Dr. Sabine Ehrmann-Herfort (2022–2023), PD Dr. Vera Grund (since 2024).
For research in the field of music history, the DHI is advised by the Kommission für Auslandsstudien of the Gesellschaft für Musikforschung (Commission for Foreign Studies of the German Musicological Society).