This December, Andris Nelsons returns to Leipzig for three concerts with the Gewandhausorchester. Nelsons and the ensemble received critical acclaim in their recent fall tour throughout Europe:

“…these musicians transformed themselves into a single unit by dint of watching each other’s motion; the result was an audible heightening of the level of passion as phrases swelled or relaxed.” (Bachtrack)

On December 6, 7, & 9, Nelsons leads the ensemble in a program consisting of Wagner’s symphonic birthday greeting, Siegfried Idyll, a piece he wrote for his wife Cosima that features the main theme of Brünnhilde’s lilting melody from Siegfried. Completing the program is Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6, claimed to be one of the composer’s favorite works.

“Throughout, Andris Nelsons was the master craftsman, giving directions that were always crisp but varied in breadth from fine tuning up to strokes so broad as to be violent.” (Bachtrack)

“…there’s no doubting the power and theatricality that Nelsons brings to this music.

…the finale was irresistible, sweeping all before it on a flood of brass tone that never overwhelmed the rest of the orchestral picture.” (The Guardian)