- EU and Member States collaboration on legislative efforts
Title: Gewandhaus: Emphasizing the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony's Classical Music Scene
Let's dive into it!
Get ready, music enthusiasts, as the Gewandhaus in Leipzig gears up for its 245th season with a bang! Kicking off on September 5th during the Democracy Weekend, this iconic venue invites you to an incredible array of events under the theme "Playing the Right Chord." Theaison's Director, Andreas Schulz, has unveiled the program for the 2025/2026 season in Leipzig, filled with remarkable performances that'll leave you spellbound.
The season begins with the "Grand Concert," under the baton of Andris Nelson, the Gewandhauskapellmeister. This is just the start of a magnificent symphony, with powerful compositions from the likes of Brahms, Liszt, Bruckner, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Rachmaninoff, Bernstein, R. Strauss, Dvořák, Mahler, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky.
But, this season, the "Tacheles" focus is all about celebrating the "Year of Jewish Culture" in Saxony, making its way throughout the country in 2026. The program will include orchestral and chamber music works by esteemed Jewish composers, such as Ernest Bloch, Pavel Haas, and Paul Ben-Haim. Additionally, more than 15 works by the highly acclaimed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, from his experimental beginnings to his late, influential style, will be featured.
In keeping with the youthful spirit of music, orchestral fairy tales like "Cinderella" and 'Keloglan and the 40 Robbers" will be performed in contemporary compositions, offering a delightful experience for children, young people, and young adults alike.
Music. Saxony. Leipzig. Focus. Tacheles. Andreas Schulz.
Now, let's dive deep into the vibrant Jewish history of Leipzig! Dating back to the 12th century, Leipzig has a rich cultural and historical connection with the Jewish community. Key figures, such as Felix Mendelssohn, have left lasting legacies in the city[1]. Although Leipzig's Jewish community faced hardships during World War II, it has experienced a resurgence since German reunification, especially with immigration from Eastern Europe[1].
During the Year of Jewish Culture at the Gewandhaus, classical music events will celebrate this heritage. Possible elements might include:- Performances of influential Jewish composers, such as Mendelssohn and Schoenberg- Incorporating traditional Jewish music like klezmer into concerts- Commemorative concerts marking significant dates in Jewish history or culture, such as Holocaust Memorial Day
Leipzig's cultural institutions often collaborate with the Jewish community to ensure a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of Jewish culture for all to enjoy. So buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable season at the Gewandhaus, embodying the essence of the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony!
[1] Information about Saxony's Jewish heritage can be found on a variety of historic and scholarly resources, including The Jewish Community of Leipzig (http://www.jewish-germany.org/topic/leipzig/) and various German historical archives online.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, with a focus on Leipzig, considering the upcoming Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony's Classical Music scene.
- In 2025, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig will commemorate the Year of Jewish Culture, featuring compositions by historical Jewish composers such as Paul Ben-Haim, alongside performances in the iconic Gewandhaus, like Mendelssohn's.
- The Gewandhaus in Leipitz's 2025/2026 season will include a variety of events that emphasize the Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony, showcasing compositions by Jewish composers like Paul Ben-Haim, as well as works by contemporary composers, such as Arvo Pärt.
