Leipzig Composers

Bach worked in Leipzig from 1723 until his death in 1750. During this time, he was responsible for church services and special religious festivities at the Nikolaikirche as well as the Thomaskirche .

Furthermore, as the city's "Director musices” (Music Director), he was responsible for organizing a wide range of secular affairs. For many years, Bach directed the Collegium musicum, an association of professional artists and music-making students. He was also invited to numerous cities for organ inspections, where he showcased his virtuoso skills.

Many significant compositions by the Thomas Cantor were created in Leipzig, including several annual cycles of sacred cantatas, the St. John and St. Matthew Passions, the Christmas Oratorio, “The Art of Fugue,” and the Mass in B Minor. Since the 19th century, Leipzig has undertaken extensive efforts dedicated to the study and interpretation of Bach's works. In this context, several institutions, societies, and competitions were founded.

Do you want to learn more about the famous composer? Then be sure to visit the Bach Museum. Here you can gain deep insights into the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig. Or visit the Leipzig Bachfest, with which the city of Leipzig honours the distinguished Thomas Cantor in a special way every year.

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, born on February 3, 1809 in Hamburg, was the grandson of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. He is one of the most impressive figures in international musical life and is considered the most important Leipzig Gewandhaus Kapellmeister. He fundamentally reformed the city’s musical life and initiated the Bach Renaissance in Germany.

On February 1, 1827, the premiere of his Symphony in C minor was performed at the Gewandhaus for the first time. At the end of August 1835, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, then 26 years old, came from Berlin to Leipzig to take up the position of Gewandhaus Kapellmeister as the successor to the dismissed Christian August Pohlenz. During his 12 years in Leipzig, he and Ferdinand David developed the Gewandhaus Orchestra into a powerful ensemble of European standing.

In addition, Mendelssohn is the founder of the oldest German music school. With the founding of the Leipzig Conservatory on April 2, 1843, he created essential prerequisites for more thorough training of young musicians. The first core staff included Ferdinand David, Moritz Hauptmann, Henriette Bünau-Grabau, and Robert Schumann.

The work and legacy of the great composer are honored annually during the Mendelssohn Festival.

Richard Wagner, the most influential composer of the High Romantic era, was born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig in the “House of the Red and White Lion” as the youngest of nine children. His birthplace at Brühl 319, later No. 1–3, was demolished in 1886. 

From June 1830, Wagner attended the Thomas School, which he left without completing his final examination. With the Gewandhaus musician Christian Gottlieb Müller, the young artist secretly received his first musical training in harmony. In order to devote himself entirely to student life and music, Wagner enrolled in February 1831 as “studiosus musicae” in the Leipzig University register. Shortly afterward, he became a pupil of the Thomas Cantor Christian Theodor Weinlig. Weinlig recognized Wagner’s musical talent and supported him. Wagner later expressed his admiration for Weinlig by dedicating his Opus I (Piano Sonata in B-flat major) to him. In 1843, he dedicated his choral work “The Feast of the Apostles” to his teacher’s widow.

At the Gewandhaus, Wagner became familiar with the nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven and was inspired to compose a symphony of his own. He was 17 years old when, at the Comödienhaus at Christmas 1830, his music was performed in Leipzig for the first time with the B-flat major overture. Wagner’s music was first performed at the Gewandhaus in February 1832 (Overture in D minor).

With the Explore Leipzig App, you can discover the city's highlights easily and individually!

On a total of four interactive city tours, you will get a comprehensive overview of the city of Leipzig and learn many interesting facts and exciting background information during the different routes. You can choose between a large tour through the city centre, a highlights tour, a family tour, as well as four alternative tours through Leipzig’s trendy districts.

On the city centre tour “Leipzig on Foot”, you can discover, for example, the opera house, the Gewandhaus concert hall, St. Thomas Church and St. Nicholas Church, as well as the Old St. Nicholas School.