Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gewandhaus Orchestra |
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Official logo of the orchestra
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| Native name | Gewandhausorchester |
| Founded | 1781 |
| Location | Leipzig, Germany |
| Concert hall | Gewandhaus |
| Music director | Andris Nelsons |
The Gewandhaus Orchestra is a famous German music group from Leipzig, Germany. It's a symphony orchestra, which means it plays classical music with many different instruments. The orchestra gets its name from its home, the Gewandhaus, which means "Garment House." Besides playing concerts, the orchestra also performs at the Thomaskirche and for the Leipzig Opera.
Contents
History of the Gewandhaus Orchestra
Early Beginnings in Leipzig
The orchestra started a long time ago, in 1743. Back then, a group called the Grosses Concert began playing music. They first performed in people's homes. In 1744, they moved their concerts to a place called the "Three Swans" Tavern. They played there for 36 years.
Moving to the Gewandhaus
By 1780, people were complaining about the tavern. The mayor and city council of Leipzig decided to help. They offered to fix up a floor of the Gewandhaus for the orchestra. This building was used by people who sold fabric.
The orchestra played its first concert in the Gewandhaus in 1781. A special saying was painted in the hall: Res severa est verum gaudium. This means "only a serious thing is a true joy." It shows what was important to the people who supported the orchestra. The Gewandhaus Orchestra is one of the oldest orchestras in Germany. It was started by regular citizens, not by kings or queens.
Famous Conductors and New Halls
In 1835, a very famous composer named Felix Mendelssohn became the orchestra's music director. His title was Gewandhauskapellmeister. He led the orchestra until he passed away in 1847. Other musicians like Ferdinand David also helped lead the orchestra during this time.
In 1885, the orchestra moved into a new concert hall. Sadly, this hall was destroyed during a bombing in 1944. The current Gewandhaus building is the third one with that name. It opened in 1981. The big organ inside the hall still has the old motto: "Res severa verum gaudium".
Many other important conductors have led the orchestra. These include Arthur Nikisch, Wilhelm Furtwängler, and Bruno Walter. From 1970 to 1996, Kurt Masur was the Gewandhauskapellmeister. He and the orchestra made many recordings. Later, Herbert Blomstedt led the orchestra from 1998 to 2005. Both Masur and Blomstedt were later given the special title of "conductor laureate."
Recent Leaders of the Orchestra
In 2005, Riccardo Chailly became the Gewandhauskapellmeister. He also became the music director of the Leipzig Opera. His contract was extended several times. However, he decided to leave his role in 2016.
Andris Nelsons first conducted the orchestra as a guest in 2011. He returned many times after that. In 2015, the orchestra announced that Nelsons would be their next Gewandhauskapellmeister. He started his role in the 2017–2018 season. The orchestra also started working closely with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Andris Nelsons is also the music director for that orchestra. His contract with the Gewandhaus Orchestra has been extended until 2027.
Music Directors (Gewandhauskapellmeister)
Here is a list of the main music directors who have led the Gewandhaus Orchestra over the years:
- Johann Adam Hiller (1781–1785)
- Johann Gottfried Schicht (1785–1810)
- Johann Philipp Christian Schulz (1810–1827)
- Christian August Pohlenz (1827–1835)
- Felix Mendelssohn (1835–1847)
- Ferdinand David (1841–1842, 1852–1854)
- Ferdinand Hiller (1843–1844)
- Niels Gade (1844–1848)
- Julius Rietz (1848–1860)
- Carl Reinecke (1860–1895)
- Arthur Nikisch (1895–1922)
- Wilhelm Furtwängler (1922–1928)
- Bruno Walter (1929–1933)
- Hermann Abendroth (1934–1945)
- Herbert Albert (1946–1948)
- Franz Konwitschny (1949–1962)
- Václav Neumann (1964–1968)
- Kurt Masur (1970–1996)
- Herbert Blomstedt (1998–2005)
- Riccardo Chailly (2005–2016)
- Andris Nelsons (2018–present)
Conductors Laureate
These conductors have been given a special honorary title for their past work with the orchestra:
- Kurt Masur (1996–2015)
- Herbert Blomstedt (2005–present)
Concertmasters (Konzertmeister)
The concertmaster is the leader of the first violin section and often the second-in-command to the conductor:
- 1797–1818: Bartolomeo Campagnoli
- 1818–1835: Heinrich August Matthäi
- 1835–1873: Ferdinand David
- 1873–1897: Engelbert Röntgen
- ...
- 1987–present: Frank-Michael Erben
Gewandhaus Composers
The orchestra also works with special "Gewandhaus Composers" for a period of time:
- Jörg Widmann (2017–2018)
- Heinz Karl Gruber (2019–2020)
- Sofia Gubaidulina (2020–2022)
- Thomas Adès (2023–2025)
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta de la Gewandhaus de Leipzig para niños
