Leipzig Gewandhausorchester in Houston Nov 3

Leipzig Gewandhausorchester opens its 2014 tour of the United States on November 3 in Houston with a one-night-only celebratory affair at Jones Hall.

The event kicks off an eight-day tour that brings the world-renowned orchestra's unique talents to five American cities. Houston, the sister-city to the Gewandhausorchester's home base of Leipzig, will see a number of special guests in attendance at the orchestra's performance from the Mendelssohn repertoire as they mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall between East and West Germany.

Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung will be in attendance along with Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker, German Consul General Ricarda Redeker and members of the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association. It's an event that was co-chaired by two men heavily involved in the political events of 1989 – former President George H. W. Bush and Secretary James A. Baker III, the 61st U.S. Secretary of State.

“When I think back to that hopeful and historic time, what I recall most of all is the courage of the East Germans in places like Leipzig,” former President Bush told one of the local newspapers in Houston. “I couldn't be more pleased that this concert will once again unite Germans and Americans to celebrate the best in the human spirit today -- and in such a unique and uplifting way."

Before the concert on November 3, three members of the orchestra will likewise give back to the community when they visit a school where Teach For America, an organization in the Teach For All network, places teachers. (DHL is a key supporter of Teach For All.) Long-time members of the symphony orchestra will describe the Gewandhaus venue in Leipzig, its orchestra and its traditions to students and discuss what a career as a musician can look like. 

“We are excited to kick off our tour in Leipzig’s twin town Houston and support the local Teach For All partner,” said the orchestra's director Andreas Schulz.

The orchestra continues its tour on November 5 with a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. followed by Symphony Hall in Boston on November 7, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on November 8, and two nights at Lincoln Center in New York City on November 9 and 10.

As Official Logistics Partner for the orchestra, DHL accounts for the tour’s logistics planning and safe transportation of the sensitive instruments and will be with the players on this tour every step of the way. To keep tabs on the world-class musicians and get a glimpse at what life is like for them on the road, be sure to check out their blog.