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Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra: 'Grand Concert' series named as best concert programme 2008/2009 by Association of German Music Publishers (MB)


The Gewandhaus's "Grand Concert" series has been named "Best Concert Programme of the 2008/2009 Season." In the opinion of the Deutscher Musikverleger-Verband (Association of German Music Publishers) the Gewandhaus Orchestra presented the best programming during the 2008/2009 season.

The programmes for the Grand Concerts (and many other events at the Gewandhaus) are developed in the Gewandhaus Concert Office, which is headed by Dramaturge Dr. Michael Breugst, in close consultation with Gewandhaus Music Director Riccardo Chailly and Gewandhaus Director Andreas Schulz.

The DMV award also acknowledges the particular importance of contemporary music in the repertoire of the Grand Concerts. Five new works were commissioned for the current season, and the Gewandhaus Orchestra will present the world premieres of six works during the coming year. This is one of the reasons for the award; another important criterion is the introduction of children and young people to the work of an orchestra and classical music. This is put into practice in an exemplary fashion in Leipzig, said the DMV in praise of the Gewandhaus Orchestra: ". . . For nearly twenty years the distinguished Gewandhaus Orchestra has opened the annual school concert season and continues its didactic work with further concerts and initiatives . . . In 'Soundcheck' young people - regardless of background or education - are given an understanding of the organism 'orchestra' and experience their first contact with an orchestra. The signs of the times were recognized promptly, and an appropriate forum was provided for music education at an early stage."

The Association also applauds the genuine closeness between the orchestra and the people of Leipzig: "The Gewandhaus Orchestra was established in 1743 by Leipzig merchants, not on the initiative of the ruling nobility, as was customary in those days. It has thus been an orchestra for civic musical life since its founding, and still is to this day. More than 12,500 concertgoers from Leipzig and the surrounding area are Gewandhaus Orchestra subscribers and contribute to the fact that the orchestra's music-making is of the highest standard today, as it was at the time of its founding 265 years ago," continues the jury of the DMV in its justification.

Gewandhaus Director Andreas Schulz says of the distinction: "We are delighted about the award. It is an acknowledgement of the many years of detailed planning necessary to develop a programme for the Gewandhaus Orchestra that is stimulating for the audience and the musicians and which, in addition to cultivating the core repertoire, does not forget the orchestra's tradition of world premieres and has created new concert forms. We are particularly pleased that the DMV award not only takes the repertoire into account but also recognizes the Gewandhaus's efforts on behalf of music education, which are instrumental in attracting receptive audiences for the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Both - exciting programming and a strong music education programme - must go hand in hand, so that listeners and all the artists involved in a concert always remain curious about what happens in the hall."

The prize, which is not remunerated and is one of the most prestigious awards in German orchestral life, was presented on 21 May 2009 by Winfried Jacobs, chair of the DMV Classical Music Committee, and committee member Stefan Conradi.

The DMV has conferred the "Best Concert Programme of the Season" award since 1991. It recognizes the concert programming of orchestras and presenters who have distinguished themselves through particular creativity and diversity during the current concert season. Programming of contemporary music plays an important role in the selection of award winners as well as works with unusual instrumentation and the participation of young artists.

Mark Berry

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