Gewandhausorchester in Madrid, Presented by DHL

The European Tour of the Gewandhausorchester has got off to a crowd-pleasing start in Brussels and Luxemburg with standing ovations and multiple Bravos! Now it's off to Spain for the Leipzig players on their concert tour presented by DHL.

With a two-night stopover in Madrid, the Gewandhausorchester will be performing from both of their planned tour programs for audiences at the Madrid – Auditorio Nacional de Musica, a rare musical treat.

Program 1, to be heard in the Symphony Hall on February 11, includes movements from Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Violin Concerto E-Minor, op. 64 (MWV o 14) and Gustav Mahler's Symphony 1 in D-Major. The following evening presents Peter Tschaikovsky's Violin Concerto D-Major, op. 35 followed by Sergej Rachmaninoff's Symphony 2 in E-Minor, op. 27. These unique programs feature two composers who have an exceptional connection to the orchestra.

Mahler himself was the second Kapellmeister for the Gewandhausorchester (then the “Leipziger Theater”), where he conducted nearly 300 performances in his two-year tenure. The talented conductor likewise composed his Symphony 1 from January to March 1988 while serving with the orchestra, a symphony that continues to be played under the direction of the conductors since, including the present Kapellmeister, Riccardo Chailly.

Tschaikovsky likewise has a strong connection to the Gewandhausorchester, as the composer was first played in Germany by the players from Leipzig. The introduction to Germany's musical world, the composer said, strengthened his self-confidence as it added weight to his name and reputation.

These two programs will be performed throughout the European Tour, with the rare two-night performance in Madrid made possible through the support of DHL, the presenting partner of the tour and the Official Logistics Partner of the Gewandhausorchester.

For more images from the appearances and an inside look at the orchestra while on tour, check out the tour blog.