Founded: 1781 - Leipzig, Germany

The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra (= GOL), founded in 1781, is a German orchestra with one of the most impressive traditions. Its predecessors reach back to the time of J.S. Bach: as early as 1743 Leipzig merchants founded a ‘great concert society’. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, who gave decisive impetus to the 19^th century Bach renaissance, was Gewandhaus Kapellmeister from 1835 to 1847. His successors include some of the greatest names among German conductors, such as Arthur Nikisch, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bruno Walter and Kurt Masur. In addition to the Symphony concerts and the orchestra’s activities with the Leipzig Opera, the ensemble is also responsible for performing church music at St Tomas’s. Together with the Choir of St Thomas Church, the Gewandhaus Orchestra is one of the cornerstones of the Bach tradition still upheld today in Leipzig.

Source: Liner notes to 4 Sets of Leipzig Classics jointly named ‘Bach Made in German Vol. I-IV’ (1999)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2001)

Karl Straube: Short Biography | Recordings
Günther Ramin: Short Biography | Recordings: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | BWV 244 - Ramin | Article: Günther Ramin 1898-1956 - Thomaskantor 1940-1956
Kurt Thomas: Short Biography | Frankfurter Kantorei | Recordings: Part 1 | Part 2 | BWV 248 - Kurt Thomas
Erhard Mauersberger: Short Biography | Recordings | BWV 244 - Mauersberger
Hans-Joachim Rotzsch: Short Biography | Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum | Recordings: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | BWV 244 - Rotzsch
Georg Christoph Biller: Short Biography | Recordings | BWV 232 - Biller
Thomaskantors: Thomanerchor Leipzig | Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
Table of Recordings by BWV Number

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Herbert Blomstedt

Choir & Orchestra

BWV 232 [DVD]

Gerhard Bosse

Orchestra

BWV 199, BWV 209

Kurt Masur

Orchestra

BWV 51, BWV 199, BWV 202

Rudolf Mauersberger

Orchestra

Arias from Cantatas BWV 36, BWV 43, BWV 75, BWV 76, BWV 103, BWV 110, BWV 134, BWV 135, BWV 177

Hans Weisbach

Orchestra

BWV 244

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