Leipzig composers

Bach worked in Leipzig from 1723 until his death in 1750. During this time he was responsible for church services and special church festivities in the Nikolai- as the Thomas Church responsible.

He also provided "Director musices” (music director) of the city for the organization of many secular affairs. For many years Bach led the Collegium musicum, an association of professional artists and music students. In addition, he was invited to organ examinations in numerous cities, where he presented his virtuoso skills.

Many of the Thomaskantor's important compositions were written in Leipzig, including several years of sacred cantatas, the St. John and St. Matthew Passions, the Christmas Oratorio, the "Art of Fugue" and the B minor Mass. Since the 19th century, Leipzig has made extensive efforts to Research 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 visit the Bach MuseumHere you will get a deep insight into the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig. Or visit the Bach Festival, with which the city of Leipzig honors the important Thomaskantor 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 music life and is considered the most important Leipzig Gewandhaus conductorHe fundamentally reformed the city’s musical life and led the Bach Renaissance in Germany.

On 1 February 1827, the premiere of his Symphony in C minor took place in Leipzig Gewandhaus one of his works for the first time. At the end of August 1835, Mendelssohn Bartholdy came from Berlin to Leipzig at the age of 26 to take up the post of Gewandhauskapellmeister, succeeding 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, By the founding of the Leipzig Conservatory On April 2, 1843, he created essential conditions for a more thorough education of young musicians. The first permanent staff included Ferdinand David, Moritz Hauptmann, Henriette Bünau-Grabau and Robert Schumann.

The work and creation of the great composer is celebrated annually as part of the Mendelssohn Festival appreciated.

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

From June 1830, Wagner visited the Thomasschule, which he left without taking his school-leaving exams. The young artist secretly received his first musical training in harmony from the Gewandhaus musician Christian Gottlieb Müller. In order to be able to devote himself entirely to student life and music, Wagner enrolled as a "studiosus musicae" in the Leipzig University register in February 1831. Shortly afterwards he became a student of the Thomaskantor Christian Theodor Weinlig. The latter recognized Wagner's musical talent and encouraged it. 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 male choir work "The Love Feast of the Apostles" to his teacher's widow.

Im Gewandhaus Wagner became acquainted with Ludwig van Beethoven's nine symphonies and was inspired to compose his own symphony. He was 17 years old when his music was first heard in Leipzig at the Comödienhaus on Christmas 1830: the Overture in B flat major. Wagner's music was first played in the Gewandhaus in February 1832 (Overture in D minor).

With the Explore Leipzig app, the highlights of the city can be explored 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 various tours. You can choose between a large tour through the city center, One highlight tour, One tour for families and four alternative tours through Leipzig's trendy district.

On the city center tour “Leipzig on foot” you can discover, for example, the opera, the Gewandhaus, the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche as well as the Alte Nikolaischule.