Exploring and Concert-Going in Leipzig.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
On Monday morning, institute members were astounded by the sheer number of concert possibilities for the next seven days. Louise read off a list that we compiled, including the Bach Competition, West Side Story, recitals and other free concerts around the area. Each of us tried to plan our days accordingly, balancing sightseeing with evening and afternoon performances.
After lunch we took a tour around Leipzig, our guides giving us a taste for the city. They explained Leipzig’s role as a both a cultural center (Schumann, Mendelssohn, and Bach all walked these streets!) as well as an economic center, as Leipzig was famous as a printing and trade center in Germany. Some of us even attended the Monday night peace service at the Nikolaikirche, a tradition perpetuated since the GDR period, while others caught a string quartet concert at the Thomaskirche.
Since arriving, our classroom sessions have been taught by Peter Wollny, one of the exceptional researchers from the Bach Archiv in Leipzig. Professor Wollny works directly with J. S. Bach’s scores, piecing together a historical portrait of Bach from what remains of his manuscripts and other important historical documents. He gave an overview of many of the cantatas as well as discussed new trends and ideas in Bach research.
Also during these past few days, many of the participants have attended grown attached to performers in the 2012 Bach competition for organ, voice, and cello. They’ve attended both the 2nd round (Mon-Tues) and the Semifinal (Wed) of the competition to cheer on their favorites. After critically listening through each round, these attendees waste no time returning to the hotel afterward, only to further discuss the performances of the evening.
It is wonderful to see how involved the participants are in Leipzig, a city that a has welcomed us with open arms.
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