Leipzig's musical magic: The Gewandhaus Orchestra and unforgettable sounds!

Leipzig's musical magic: The Gewandhaus Orchestra and unforgettable sounds!

Leipzig, a city known for its musical excellence, offers a true melting pot for culture and music lovers. In the city center, on Augustusplatz, is the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) Classical Competence Center, which plays a central role in the city's musical life. To the right of the eye-catching city high-rise, the MDR KLASSIK editorial team and three ensembles work here: the MDR Symphony Orchestra, the MDR Radio Choir and the MDR Children's Choir. This institution is not only important locally, but also of great importance at the national level.

An architectural highlight of Augustusplatz is the MDR cube, which is connected to the Gewandhaus – home of the world-renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra. The Gewandhaus, which was inaugurated in 1981, is the only concert hall built during the GDR. The building opened with Beethoven's “Ninth”. Today the Gewandhaus Orchestra is led by over 180 talented musicians under the direction of Andris Nelson.

A first-class concert offer

The Gewandhaus Orchestra regularly plays concerts that enjoy great prestige in the music world. There is a concert coming up with the renowned pianist Kirill Gerstein, where Maurice Ravel's “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand” will be performed. This composition was originally created for a war-disabled pianist and demonstrates the ability to shine even in challenging times. The audience can also expect a performance of Stravinsky’s “Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments”.

The concert continues with Arvo Pärt's “Nekrolog”, which was created in 1961 and is understood as an indictment of political ideologies of violence. Leonard Bernstein's “Symphonic Dances” from the same year also addresses social tensions in the USA. An introductory event before the concert, led by Ann-Katrin Zimmermann, offers visitors a deep insight into the works.

Cultural diversity at Augustusplatz

There are even more cultural treasures to discover in the immediate vicinity of Augustusplatz. The New Theater, which was inaugurated in 1960 with Richard Wagner's “Die Meistersinger von Nuremberg”, has a rich tradition. Not only is classical repertoire performed here by greats such as Wagner, Strauss, Puccini, Verdi and Mozart, but it is also home to the Leipzig Ballet, which offers neoclassical dances to lively music.

Another important cultural site is the Paulinum at the University of Leipzig, which was built on the site where the remains of the Paulinerkirche were blown up in 1968 - an event that sparked nationwide protests. Today the Paulinum houses modern teaching rooms and a consecrated church room where concerts take place regularly.

After the concerts in the Gewandhaus, visitors have the opportunity to talk to the musicians in the foyer and end the evening with a drink - with a view of the lively Augustusplatz. A special offer for young guests under 30 is the “KlassikMatch” discount card, which makes it easier to access these first-class events.

Ticket prices for the upcoming concert vary between 6 and 80 euros, although there are also discounts for eligible groups. This means that the diverse and high-quality cultural offering remains accessible to a wider audience.

The diverse activities at Augustusplatz make Leipzig a vibrant center of music and culture that delights both locals and tourists. Whether classical, theater or dance, the city has something to offer for everyone.