Gewandhausorchester takes Berlin with a star conductor from New York

Showcasing their unique Mahler skills, the Gewandhausorchester grace the stage in Berlin as the second stop on their September tour of Europe’s well-renowned music festivals.

On September 9, Europe’s oldest ongoing orchestra stops for a one-night-only performance of Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony at the 10th edition of the Musikfest Berlin. Coming right on the heels of a festival visit to Lucerne, the Musikfest is a much-anticipated highlight of the Gewandhausorchester’s week-long festival tour.

Chief conductor Riccardo Chailly regrettably had to cancel his September appearances with the orchestra due to a broken arm. Fortunately, the perfect fit has been found to replace him. Alan Gilbert, music director of the New York Philharmonic and Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies at the Juilliard School, is leading the orchestra’s planned performances on tour, including this performance in Berlin.

Gilbert and the Gewandhausorchestra are a familiar pairing. In May 2011, he and the New York Philharmonic were headline guests at the International Mahler Festival in Leipzig, where he returned in February 2013 to conduct the Leipzig musicians for a “Grosses Concert” in February 2013. Now the artistic top brass from New York and Leipzig unite once again for a spectacular Mahler concert on the program of the much-beloved Musikfest Berlin.

For three weeks every year in late summer, Berlin’s über-chic music festival marks the beginning of the autumn concert season in Germany’s music and culture capital. The sonic celebration features high-caliber performances by the world’s most famous national and international orchestras, drawing in tens of thousands of classic aficionados from near and far.

Without missing a beat, the touring musicians will take to the road again the next day for two high-profile performances in London. As Official Logistics Partner, DHL’s seamless services spare no bells and whistles to ensure the safe and timely delivery of their valuable variety of instruments, wardrobes and stage equipment. Behind the scenes and on the road, DHL orchestrates logistics precision so that the popular Gewandhausorchester can score perfect performances at Europe’s most esteemed and unique events.

Find out more about the orchestra’s European tour taking place from September 7-12 here on In Motion, or read the latest from the musicians themselves by following their online travel diary and tour blog.