The Mendelssohn Festival and the associated cultivation and performance of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's works are an integral part of Leipzig's musical culture. In close cooperation between Mendelssohn-Haus Leipzig and Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Elena Bashkirova curates an exquisite festival programme with symphony concerts, chamber music, guided tours and discussion formats every year around the anniversary of the death of the composer, pianist, conductor and global citizen on 4 November. The concerts in Mendelssohn's authentic home and death house and those with the Gewandhaus Orchestra are among the most impressive experiences of the Leipzig concert season.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is one of the most outstanding, universally educated and versatile musicians of the 19th century. His musical activities as a composer, conductor and pianist took him all over Europe. Leipzig was the centre of his life for twelve years. As Gewandhaus Kapellmeister and co-founder of the first German conservatory, he had a decisive influence on the musical life and musical charisma of the city.
This year's Mendelssohn Festival from 29 October to 4 November 2024 will open with a concert that pays tribute to the Mendelssohn Orchestra Academy, which has now been in existence for 20 years, and its intensive work, as well as the Gewandhaus composer Thomas Adès.
We are particularly looking forward to the benefit concert for the Mendelssohn House, at which Daniel Barenboim will conduct his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, founded in 1999.
The festival's artistic programme reflects the impressive diversity of Mendelssohn's oeuvre: the major concertos and an organ concerto offer a powerful sonority, while the chamber music performances and recitals are fascinatingly transparent. The many facets of the human voice can be discovered in the song programmes. Music lovers will also find special entertainment and inspiration in the series of talks and special guided tours.
The programme for the 2024 Mendelssohn Festival thus also promises inspiring concert experiences that touch the heart, that unite people peacefully in the spirit of music and that will be remembered.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is one of the most outstanding, universally educated and versatile musicians of the 19th century. His musical activities as a composer, conductor and pianist took him all over Europe. Leipzig was the centre of his life for twelve years. As Gewandhaus Kapellmeister and co-founder of the first German conservatory, he had a decisive influence on the musical life and musical charisma of the city.
This year's Mendelssohn Festival from 29 October to 4 November 2024 will open with a concert that pays tribute to the Mendelssohn Orchestra Academy, which has now been in existence for 20 years, and its intensive work, as well as the Gewandhaus composer Thomas Adès.
We are particularly looking forward to the benefit concert for the Mendelssohn House, at which Daniel Barenboim will conduct his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, founded in 1999.
The festival's artistic programme reflects the impressive diversity of Mendelssohn's oeuvre: the major concertos and an organ concerto offer a powerful sonority, while the chamber music performances and recitals are fascinatingly transparent. The many facets of the human voice can be discovered in the song programmes. Music lovers will also find special entertainment and inspiration in the series of talks and special guided tours.
The programme for the 2024 Mendelssohn Festival thus also promises inspiring concert experiences that touch the heart, that unite people peacefully in the spirit of music and that will be remembered.
