A tale of two cities

Three of Leipzig's oldest cultural establishments gather at the Hong Kong Arts Festival for a week-long residency. Leipzig Opera, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and St Thomas Boys Choir (Thomanerchor) come together to showcase the German city's rich musical tradition with six performances of masterpieces that are close to their hearts, exploring their special relationship with longtime associates and famous Leipzigers J S Bach and Richard Wagner.

14-15 March 2011
Concert Hall, HK Cultural Centre

"An electrifying occasion, it was a superlative example of radical music-making"  The Guardian

The world's oldest civic concert orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhaus has been at the heart of music history since its founding more than 250 years ago. Mendelssohn, Furtwängler and Masur are some of the prestigious names that occupied its music directorship. Under Riccardo Chailly, the latest addition to the orchestra's roll-call of illustrious conductors, the great musical tradition of the Gewandhaus continues to flourish.

Chailly is renowned for drawing a sparkling energy from orchestras, and his collaborators are among the world's very best. He regularly conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Cleveland and the Royal Concertgebouw orchestras among many others.  

Maestro Chailly leads an all-Dvořák programme on the first evening, joined by the Paganini Competition winner, virtuoso violinist Leonidas Kavakos. On the second evening, Bruckner's Eighth shows off the full glory of the orchestra's famous sonority.

With "true pleasure is a serious business" being the Gewandhaus Orchestra's motto, expect something special from this exceptional partnership.

The 15 Mar performance is part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Gert Mothes