On the trail of music in the heart of Leipzig
We begin the journey to the Traces of Music im heart of Leipzig. Directly on the Augustusplatz is one of the largest and most important music houses the city - the Gewandhaus Concert Hall. The music house not only plays for the musical life It also forms an important meeting point of urban lifeStudents regularly flock to school concerts in and out, young people are welcomed into the circle of adults and students celebrate their festive matriculationJust as the city influences the Gewandhaus, the Gewandhaus has always shaped the city of Leipzig. In our podcast about the Gewandhaus Leipzig, you will learn more about the history, famous personalities, current music projects and the Gewandhausorchester.
On the trail of the history of the Gewandhaus
Gewandhaus director Professor Andreas Schulz gives us a exciting insight into history of the Gewandhaus. Already in 1743 16 merchants founded the concert societyThe Great Concert and thus lay the foundation for today’s GewandhausorchesterWhile most orchestras at this time were founded by the court, this bourgeois foundation Its time was very special. The founding merchants initially small concerts in your private homes organized until it finally became clear that the small house concerts have no future.
The First Gewandhaus
So 1781 the first concert hall in you Exhibition House of Cloth and Garment Makers On the top floor under the roof, the first Gewandhaus What was originally a meeting place for the cloth makers was transformed into a concert hall with 500 seats This is how the Gewandhaus got its name. For almost 100 years, the building's largest exhibition hall served as a concert hall. 1840 was that Gewandhausorchester commissioned as city orchestra an three venues simultaneously. This is how the Gewandhausorchester to his second special feature. In addition to his office as oldest civic orchestra It played exceptionally instead of just one three places simultaneously - in Gewandhaus, the Opera and together with the Thomanern in the Thomas Church.
The Second Gewandhaus
With 500 seats, the first Gewandhaus quickly became too small. The second Gewandhaus was therefore built using private funds. 1884 was the inauguration of the second Gewandhaus celebrated. With 1.500 seats in the Great Hall and 500 seats in the Small Hall Four times as many people could be accommodated here. The second Gewandhaus quickly developed into the Hotspot of daily music life. With his phenomenal acoustics It was one of the best concert halls in Europe. At the end of the World War II The building was bombing raid but destroyed.
The Third Gewandhaus
For 40 years, the time was bridged by an interim until 1981 the third Gewandhaus was inaugurated. Kurt Masur, Gewandhaus Kapellmeister from 1970 to 1996, arranged for the construction of the new building. only new hall built in the former GDR became the fantastic concert hall as we know it today. The heart of the magnificent building forms the Great Hall with 1.900 seats.
Res severa verum gaudium
The eye-catcher of the concert hall is the huge organ above which the Latin words Res severa verum gaudium written, which means True joy is a serious matterThe quotation from Seneca’s 23rd letter has always accompanied the Gewandhaus and, with today’s modified translation, is We convey music for joy as leitmotif of the GewandhausThe Latin words were already placed above the stage in the first Gewandhaus, at the two entrance portals in the second Gewandhaus and above the console of the large Schuke organ in the Great Concert Hall.
personalities of music history
In the long history of the Gewandhaus, numerous important figures in music history - How Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Wilhelm Furtwangler - in and out.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy was appointed Kapellmeister of the Gewandhaus appointed. Eight years later he founded the first conservatory in Europe – today's University of Music and Theatre "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy"During his lifetime, Leipzig became one of the outstanding music cities Europe. Anyone who wanted to study music and had the opportunity came to Leipzig. Many publishers, especially Breitkopf & Härtel, were located directly opposite the Gewandhaus. At that time, a new concert was played almost every week. premiere contemporary music in the Gewandhaus. For example, the first Beethoven cycle worldwide 1825/26 in Leipzig. This impressiveOur history not only influences the musicians who find their way to Leipzig, but also the audience. The audience visits the oldest civic orchestra in the world with such a unique history. The doors to the Gewandhaus are open to everyone. Whether in elegant evening wear or jeans and a T-shirt, every guest is welcome here!
Current music projects
Nowadays, numerous concerts are still played in the Gewandhaus, but the Gewandhaus supports many other projects such as the music education, cooperation with the independent scene and the annual Rosentalconcert.
music education
You are not familiar with classical music? No problem! The Gewandhaus cordially invites you to one of the numerous music education projects These offers are not only valid for Children and Young people for .... As well Adult. They should joy to classicMusic At each concert there is a Introductory lecture, who deals with the music in more detail. This builds enough bridges to approach classical music. All remaining doubts are removed by the magicalsounds of the GewandhausorchesterIt simply vanishes. See for yourself!
Two Play To Play
In the music education project Two Play To Play A musician or an ensemble from the Gewandhausorchester or the Gewandhauschor together with an artist from the independent scene a new work. The audience can follow the rehearsal process for over a year until the new piece is premiered in the Gewandhaus. conscious softening of boundaries arise in this project fantastic crossover. The first project of Two Play To Play was together with the Gewandhauschor and Martin Kohlstedt It was a huge success and even went on tour in Germany. In the current Two Play To Play A DJ and a bass clarinetist work together on the project.
The mixture of classical and entertainment will be continued in the future. In addition to the premieres of classical music also has the contemporary music found its place in the Gewandhaus, because the history of the Gewandhaus should be continued in a different, diverse form!
Gewandhausorchester
The Gewandhausorchester looks at a 250 years of history The orchestra not only plays concerts in the Gewandhaus, but also in Opernhaus directly opposite and together with the famous THOMANERCHOR LEIPZIG (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig) in the Thomas Church. The Boys choir looks back on an even longer history, which we will discuss in the next podcast episodes during a visit to Bach Museum find out more. Schumann Corner, Arthur Nikisch Room, Mendelssohn Hall and Leo Schwarz Foyer - a walk through the Gewandhaus shows the numerous personalities who have shaped the Gewandhaus. Ms. Dorothea Hemken is now part of the Gewandhausorchesters. She plays the viola. She tells you what she loves so much about her instrument and how she found her way into the orchestra in the podcast. Listen now!
A Visit to the Music City of Leipzig
Our podcast on the Gewandhaus Leipzig shows that a visit to the concert hall is always worthwhile. Here you will find not only Concerts instead, but also Guided Tours with following organ lesson and numerous other projects. The impressive house alone with its method of construction is a Total artworkThe Gewandhaus houses many contemporary Art of the GDR. A real eye-catcher is the huge ceiling paintings on Sighard Gille in the main foyer, which Song of Life The building also houses a CD shop and an excellent restaurant. exclusive tip Gewandhaus director Professor Andreas Schulz gives you a podcast about a weekend in the music city of Leipzig.
The next podcast episode takes us to second station of the Leipzig Music Trail - in the Mendelssohn House.
subscriber "Welcome to Leipzig - The podcast for your Leipzig trip" at Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Deezerso you don't miss any more episodes. Until next time, when we'll say: "Welcome to Leipzig".
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