| Gewandhaus Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 Official logo of the orchestra | |
| Native name | Gewandhausorchester |
| Founded | 1781 |
| Location | Leipzig, Germany |
| Concert hall | Gewandhaus |
| Concertmaster | Frank-Michael Erben |
| Music director | Andris Nelsons |
| Website | www |
The LeipzigGewandhaus Orchestra (Gewandhausorchester; also previously known in German as theGewandhausorchester Leipzig) is a German symphony orchestra based inLeipzig, Germany. The orchestra is named after the concert hall in which it is based, theGewandhaus ("Garment House"). In addition to its concert duties, the orchestra also performs frequently in theThomaskirche and as the official opera orchestra of theLeipzig Opera.
The orchestra's origins can be traced to 1743, when a society called theGrosses Concert began performing in private homes. In 1744 theGrosses Concert moved its concerts to the "Three Swans" Tavern. Their concerts continued at this venue for 36 years, until 1781. In 1780, because of complaints about concert conditions and audience behavior in the tavern, the mayor and city council of Leipzig offered to renovate one storey of the Gewandhaus (the building used by textile merchants) for the orchestra's use. The mottoRes severa est verum gaudium ("only a serious thing is a true joy", or "true joy is a serious thing" – from the Roman authorSeneca) was painted in the hall, suggesting the priorities of the sponsors. The orchestra gave its first concert in the Gewandhaus in 1781. The orchestra thus has a good claim to being the oldest continuing orchestra in Germany founded by thebourgeoisie, while older orchestras were part of royal suites.[1]
In 1835,Felix Mendelssohn became the orchestra'smusic director, with the traditional title ofGewandhauskapellmeister, and held the post until his death in 1847. Several other musicians shared the duties with Mendelssohn during his tenure, includingFerdinand David,Ferdinand Hiller, andNiels Gade. In 1885, the orchestra moved into a new hall. This was destroyed by bombing in 1944. The present Gewandhaus is the third building with the name. It was opened in 1981. The large organ in the hall bears the original Gewandhaus hall's motto "Res severa verum gaudium" .
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 You may hear the Gewandhaus Orchestra led byRiccardo Chailly withNelson Freire performingJohannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 in 2006Here on archive.org | |
| You may hear the Gewandhaus Orchestra led byRiccardo Chailly withNelson Freire performingJohannes Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 in 2006 Here on Archive.org |
Later principalconductors includedArthur Nikisch,Wilhelm Furtwängler,Bruno Walter, andVáclav Neumann. From 1970 to 1996,Kurt Masur wasGewandhauskapellmeister, and he and the orchestra made a number of recordings for the Philips label. From 1998 to 2005,Herbert Blomstedt held the same position, and they in turn made several recordings for the Decca label. Blomstedt currently holds the title of conductor laureate with the orchestra, while Masur held the post jointly with Blomstedt until his death in 2015.
In 2005,Riccardo Chailly took over as bothGewandhauskapellmeister and music director of the Leipzig Opera, with an initial contract through 2010. In 2008, Chailly's first contract extension occurred, through 2015. However, he concurrently resigned as GMD of the Oper Leipzig, reportedly after conflict over the hiring of personnel without his consultation.[2][3] In June 2013, the Gewandhausorchester further extended Chailly's contract through 2020.[4] However, in September 2015, the orchestra announced the newly scheduled conclusion of Chailly's tenure asGewandhauskapellmeister in June 2016, four years ahead of the previously agreed-upon contract extension, at Chailly's request.[5][6][7]
Andris Nelsons first guest-conducted the orchestra in December 2011, and returned for subsequent guest engagements in June 2013, July 2014 and December 2014. In September 2015, the orchestra announced the appointment of Nelsons as its nextGewandhauskapellmeister, effective with the 2017–2018 season, with an initial contract of 5 seasons.[8] In parallel, the orchestra announced a new artistic collaboration with theBoston Symphony Orchestra, of which Nelsons is the current music director.[9][10] In October 2020, the orchestra announced the most recent extension of Nelsons' contract asGewandhauskapellmeister through 31 July 2027.[11]
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