12 July 1946
The French military government gives permission for the "Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde" to resume their activities.
27/28 July 1946
First festival after the war with the title "Neue Musik Donaueschingen" ("New Music Donaueschingen") under the direction of Hugo Herrmann.
1947
"New Music Donaueschingen"
1948
As a result of the currency reform, the festival, which had already been scheduled, is cancelled.
1949/50
Disagreements about content and disputes over competence with regard to the further organization of the festival; Hugo Hermann is divested of responsibility for the programming.
April 1950
The "Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde" ("Society of Friends of Music") contacts Heinrich Strobel, the head of the music department of Südwestfunk Baden-Baden; a collaboration is arranged. Since then, Südwestfunk has borne the sole artistic responsibility, awards commissions for many new works every year and takes on by far the greatest financial burden for the festival. Since Südwestfunk makes its orchestra available, the emphasis shifts to orchestral music.
9/10 October 1950
"Donaueschinger Musiktage für zeitgenössische Tonkunst" ("Donaueschingen Music Days of Contemporary Music"); beginning of the festival's most stable period thus far. First performance of the SWF Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Hans Rosbaud. Heinrich Strobel is responsible for the programming.
1951
Composers presented for the first time include Pierre Boulez, Olivier Messiaen and Hans Werner Henze.
1952
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bernd Alois Zimmermann
1953
Pierre Schaeffer/Pierre Henry, Luigi Nono
1954
Christian Wolff, Earle Brown, John Cage (first public appearance in Europe). Expansion of the programme with a jazz concert.
1955
Composers presented for the first time include Henri Pousseur and Iannis Xenakis.
1956
Luciano Berio, Roman Haubenstock-Ramati
1957
Elliott Carter
1959
Mauricio Kagel, Edgard Varèse
1960
Krzysztof Penderecki
1961
György Ligeti
1963
Kazimierz Serocki
1964
Heinz Holliger, Friedrich Cerha
January 1964
Ernest Bour becomes chief conductor of the SWF Symphony Orchestra.
1966
Composers presented for the first time include Isang Yun.
1967
Cristóbal Halffter
1969
Alfred Schnittke
1970
After the death of Heinrich Strobel, Otto Tomek takes over the artistic direction of the festival.
1971
New name of the festival: "Donaueschinger Musiktage" ("Donaueschingen Music Days").
1972
The Karl Sczuka Prize of Südwestfunk for "Works of Radio Art" is awarded for the first time during the festival. Composers presented for the first time include Dieter Schnebel.
1973
Vinko Globokar, Paul-Heinz Dittrich
1974
Wolfgang Rihm
1975
Helmut Lachenmann, Hans Zender, Brian Ferneyhough. Responsibility for the programme is in the hands of Josef Häusler.
1977
Composers presented for the first time include Emmanuel Nunes.
1979
Péter Eötvös
1980
Walter Zimmermann, Jörg Herchet, Younghi Pagh-Paan
January 1980
Kazimierz Kord becomes the new chief conductor of the SWF Symphony Orchestra.
1981
Christof Bitter assumes artistic direction of the festival together with Josef Häusler.
1983
Composers presented for the first time include Klaus Huber.
1986
Michael Gielen becomes the new chief conductor of the SWF Symphony Orchestra; first appearance conducting in Donaueschingen in 1987.
1990
Composers presented for the first time include Mathias Spahlinger.