Gewandhausorchester’s European tour presented by DHL

In February the celebrated musicians of the Gewandhausorchester and its Gewandhauskapellmeister Riccardo Chailly will set out on a concert tour through Europe bringing their powerful presentations of works by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Rachmaninoff to cities across the Continent.

Known not only as one of the world’s oldest civic symphony ensembles, but also for their distinct sound identity – the Gewandhaus “Klang” – cultivated throughout centuries of history-making concerts under the directorship of such distinguished conductors as Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt, Arthur Nikisch, Johann Hiller and even Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy himself, the Gewandhausorchester are beloved in Europe.

With a diverse and deeply rooted repertoire, which they masterfully present unique ties to the classical tradition, the orchestra performs at hundreds of concerts in their home city of Leipzig and on special tours every year. This February that includes leaving their home base in Leipzig to perform at major cultural centers in Brussels, Luxemburg, Madrid, Turin and Milan, Italy along with the western German cities such as Dortmund, Freiburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Cologne.

It’s a packed schedule, with 12 performances in 15 days, and one with several very exciting stops. Conductor Riccardo Chailly will return home to Italy, directing the orchestra at Milan’s La Scala, where he first took up his baton.

Joining them on this tour presented by DHL is the internationally respected violin soloist Julian Rachlin. Music critics have lauded the Lithuanian-born virtuoso for his superb musicianship since his debut as a child prodigy in Austria at the tender age of ten. At 14, he went on to become the youngest soloist to ever play with the Vienna Philharmonic. Now aged 40, Rachlin brings his rare and special talent to bear in the unique chemistry he creates on stage with the Gewandhausorchester musicians and Italian maestro Riccardo Chailly. It is world-class concerts of this high caliber for which the orchestra reap standing ovations again and again.

As presenting partner of the Gewandhausorchester’s entire European tour, Official Logistics Partner DHL is proud to assist classical music’s contemporary superstars at each of their destinations. From one European city to the next, transporting their equipment and instruments smoothly and safely is a key supporting role in their traveling symphony of skill and on-stage virtuosity.

The tour, which you can follow both here on In Motion and on the tour blog of the Gewandhausorchester includes two programs:

Program 1:

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E-Minor, op. 64 (MWV o 14)

Gustav Mahler: Symphony 1 in D-Major

Program 2:

Peter Tschaikovsky: Violin Concerto  D-Major, op. 35

Sergej Rachmaninoff: Symphony 2 in E-Minor, op. 27

Tour Dates

8 February 2015 – Brussels – Palais des Beaux-Arts – Program 1

9 February 2015 – Luxemburg – Philharmonie – Program 1

11 February 2015 – Madrid – Auditorio Nacional de Musica – Program 1

12 February 2015 – Madrid – Auditorio Nacional de Musica – Program 2

14 February 2015 – Freiburg – Konzerthaus – Program 1

15 February 2015 – Turin – Auditorium Lingotto – Program 2

16 February 2015 – Milan – Teatro alla Scala – Program 1

17 February 2015 – Munich – Gasteig – Program 2

19 February 2015 – Cologne – Philharmonie – Program 1

20 February 2015 – Stuttgart – Liederhalle – Program 2

21 February 2015 – Dortmund – Konzerthaus – Program 2

22 February 2015 – Dortmund – Konzerthaus – Program 1