Leipzig Gewandhausorchester U.S. Tour 2014

The Leipzig Gewandhausorchester heads west in early November for an eight-day tour of the United States. Beginning in Houston, Texas on November 3, the German orchestra will be bringing their unique sounds and moving renditions of works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Bruckner to American classical music fans.

This year's tour under the conduction of Maestro Riccardo Chailly marks two very special anniversaries for the orchestra. Forty years ago, regular guest appearances by the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester in the United States began. At the time, the Cold War limited East Germans' ability to travel to the west so the players were quite privileged to be able to tour the world with the orchestra. For this reason, the musicians will also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the demonstrations in Leipzig and subsequent fall of the wall between East and West Germany, a momentous occasion for the people of Leipzig.

The celebratory mood will make for especially moving performances, and as Official Logistics Partner to the orchestra, DHL is proud to be supporting the players as they create these moments. With our logistics expertise and global network, DHL ensures that the invaluable instruments, including the rare Ophicleide, a brass instrument, are handled safely and arrive at each concert hall on time and in perfect condition.

As part of this year's tour as well, three players from the orchestra will take part in a very special visit to a school in Houston where Teach For America, an organization in the Teach For All network. DHL's global partner Teach For All is a network of over 30 organizations around the world with a shared mission to expand educational opportunity for students in disadvantaged communities.

Following their concert on November 3 in Houston, the orchestra continues on November 5 with a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. They then go on to 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.

To get a glimpse at the orchestra's experiences while on the road, check out their behind-the-scenes blog and stay tuned to DHL In Motion to stay up-to-date on their city visits.

The official program includes:

03.11.2014 HOUSTON
Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestral Suite No.4 in D major
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 107, “Reformation Symphony”

05.11.2014 WASHINGTON DC
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64
Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 7 in E major (WAB 107)

07.11.2014 BOSTON
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) - Overture Op. 26, MWV P 7
Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto D major op. 61
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 107, “Reformation Symphony”

08.11.2014 NEWARK
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) - Overture Op. 26 , MWV P 7
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 107, “Reformation Symphony”

09.11.2014 NEW YORK Avery Fisher Hall
Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestral Suite No.4 in D major
Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 7 in E major (WAB 107)

10.11.2014 NEW YORK
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) - Overture Op. 26, MWV P 7
Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto D major op. 61
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 107, “Reformation Symphony”