Moving music lovers’ hearts across Asia

Following back-to-back performances in Shanghai, the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester continues its springtime Asia tour through major cities in Japan -- a country the travelling musicians have come to know as a home away from home.

The world-famous Gewandhausorchester has been visiting Japan’s major concert halls even longer than those of the United States. Since first touring the island nation in 1961 under former Gewandhauskapellmeister Franz Konwitschny, the group has chalked up so many concerts that some Japanese cities are as familiar to them as the back of their bows. In Tokyo, for example, the ensemble has performed 78 times over the years, and in Osaka, 29.

All four composers on the Japan playlists this March feature prominently in Gewandhausorchester’s thoroughbred history. Notably, it was the world’s first orchestra to perform a complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies during his lifetime, and more than a century later, the first foreign orchestra to do so in Japan.

As music director from 1835 to 1847, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy presided over the first performance of his Overture to Ruy Blas during his tenure in Leipzig. And the Gewandhausorchester was also instrumental in establishing Dmitri Shostakovich’s now unshakeable place in the international canon of classical composers. The live performance of the 20th Century Russian composer’s triumphant, emotional Symphony 5 in D minor is poised to move even more music-loving hearts in Japan’s metropolises this spring.

Such distinguished heritage vibrates in every tone they play, and the Leipzig musicians greet Japan with typical Gewandhausorchester gusto and grace. With stops in Tokyo, Kawasaki, Kyoto and Osaka, DHL helps ensure the musicians don’t miss a beat. The group’s Official Logistics Partner provides state-of-the-art orchestration behind the scenes to keep their unique instruments and equipment perfectly on time, in tune and intact. From one Asian hot spot to the next, DHL helps the celebrated guest musicians deliver their musical best while on tour. To follow the players while they're on the road, be sure to check out their tour blog. And stop back here at In Motion for frequent updates as well.