Four Centuries of Great Music July 7, 2024 Music of Leilzig

FCGM-07-07-24 Leipzig as a Musical Center

When people think of musical centers of the world, they mention Paris, Rome, London, Vienna and New York City.  But don’t forget Leipzig, Germany.  Today on Four Centuries of Great Music I am presenting music by 4 composers who lived in Leipzig and music they composed while living in Leipzig

Of course we have to begin with Johann Sebastian Bach.  Bach worked in Leipzig from 1723 until his death in 1750. During this time, he was responsible for church services and special ecclesiastical festivities at both the St. Nicholas and St. Thomas  churches.  In addition, he also organized many secular events in his role as the musical director of the city. For many years he was head of the Collegium musicum, an association for professional and student musicians.  So this period is known for the sacred music of Bach but also the Goldberg Variations were written during this period and published in 1741.

Here is a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations for keyboard, BWV 988 by Glenn Gould from his 1955 album Bach: The Goldberg Variations Sony

You have been listening to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations for keyboard, BWV 988 by Glenn Gould from his 1955 album Bach: The Goldberg Variations.

Today on Four Centuries of Great Music we are exploring the composers associated with the town of Leipzig.  Next is Felix Mendelssohn who moved to Leipzig at the age of 26 in August 1835 to become conductor of Leipzig’s  Gewandhaus orchestra and turn the Gewandhaus orchestra into a high-quality ensemble of European. He also founded the oldest music school in Germany, the Leipzig Conservatory.  He died in Leipzig on November 4, 1847.  

He wrote his 6 Kinderstucke  Op. 72 for piano in 1842. They are
No. 1 Allegro non troppo in G major
No. 2 Andante sostenuto in E-flat major
No. 3 Allegretto in G major
No. 4 Andante con moto in D major
No. 5 Allegro assai in G minor
No. 6 Vivace in F major

Here is a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s 6 Kinderstucke  Op. 72 for piano by Ana Maria Markovina from the set Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Complete works for Piano Solo. Hanssler Classics

Today on Four Centuries of Great music we are exploring composers associated with Leipzig.  We open this second hour with music by Robert Schumann who in 1840 married Clara Wieck and lived there for 4 years after their marriage.  Those years in Leipzig were very productive for Robert Schumann particularly in the areas of lieder (art songs) and chamber music.  Among the works composed there were his set of 3 string quartets opus 41.  Let’s listen to Robert Schumann's third string quartet in A Major Op. 41 No. 3.  It is in 4 movements

String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3_ I. Andante Espressivo - Allegro Molto Moderato
String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3_ II. Assai Agitato - Un Poco Adagio - Tempo Risoluto
String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3_ III. Adagio Molto
String Quartet No. 3 in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3_ IV. Finale - Allegro Molto Vivace

Fine Arts Quartet
Schumann: String Quartets Nos. 1-3
Naxos Recordings


Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig.  He studied at the St. Thomas school where he got his first lessons in music theory.  He  went on to study at Leipzig University  studying composition with the Thomaskantor Theodor Weinlig.[21] Weinlig was so impressed with Wagner's musical ability that he refused any payment for his lessons. Weinlig arranged for Wagner’s Piano Sonata in B-flat major written while Wagner was still a student to be published as Wagner's Op. 1.  Wagner consequently dedicated this work to Weinlig.

Richard Wagner:Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 1

11 Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 1_ I. Allegro con brio
12 Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 1_ II. Largetto
13 Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 1_ III. Menuetto. Allegro
14 Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 1_ IV. Finale. Allegro vivace

Tobias Koch, piano    Wagner: Piano Sonatas - Lieder     CPO Records