Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Returns to Hong Kong Andris Nelsons and Yulianna Avdeeva in a Powerful Musical Partnership

If there are orchestras in the classical music world whose sound can be recognised within moments, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig is undoubtedly one of them. For Hong Kong audiences, the orchestra is a familiar and highly respected name. With a history spanning nearly three centuries, this renowned German orchestra has visited Hong Kong several times, and each appearance has attracted great attention from music lovers. In June, the orchestra will return to perform two concerts at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre under the baton of Music Director Andris Nelsons, joined by internationally acclaimed pianist Yulianna Avdeeva. Together, they will present two programmes of major symphonic masterpieces.

A Distinctive Sound Shaped by Three Centuries of Tradition

The Gewandhausorchester Leipzig is the oldest civic symphony orchestra in the world, with origins dating back to 1743 when a group of sixteen music-loving nobles and citizens founded a concert society known as “Das Große Concert”. In 1781, the ensemble moved into an upper hall of the textile merchants’ trading house, known as the Gewandhaus, where it established its first dedicated concert hall. From that time on, the orchestra adopted the name Gewandhausorchester, and the name has since become synonymous with a distinctive orchestral sound and musical excellence.

Over nearly three centuries, the orchestra has lived through different musical eras and styles, yet its sound has remained unmistakable - warm, dark, and deeply resonant. This unique sound identity is closely tied to the orchestra’s distinctive performance tradition. Each year, the orchestra performs nearly 300 concerts across its three main musical homes: symphonic concerts at the Gewandhaus, opera performances at the Leipzig Opera, and weekly performances of Bach cantatas at St Thomas Church in collaboration with the St Thomas Boys Choir. This combination of symphonic, operatic and sacred music performance has shaped the orchestra into an ensemble with both depth and versatility.

The orchestra has also played a significant role in the development of the symphonic tradition. It performed all of Beethoven’s symphonies during the composer’s lifetime, and in the 1970s it became the first orchestra in the world to present complete cycles of both Bruckner’s and Shostakovich’s symphonies. These historic achievements firmly established the orchestra’s position as one of the most important musical institutions in the world.

Andris Nelsons and Yulianna Avdeeva: A Powerful Musical Dialogue

Many distinguished musicians have served as Gewandhauskapellmeister (Music Director) of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, including Felix Mendelssohn, Arthur Nikisch, Kurt Masur and Riccardo Chailly. Today, the orchestra is led by Andris Nelsons, widely regarded as one of the most exciting and sought-after conductors of our time. A Grammy Award-winning conductor, Nelsons has served as Gewandhauskapellmeister since the 2017-18 season and is also Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Nelsons has built a pioneering artistic alliance between the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, covering joint programming, commissions, recordings, tours, musician exchanges and educational initiatives. A major milestone of this partnership took place in May 2025 with the Shostakovich Festival Leipzig, where the two orchestras collaborated on a large-scale celebration featuring the composer’s complete symphonic works.

For the Hong Kong concerts, Nelsons will collaborate once again with pianist Yulianna Avdeeva. Since winning First Prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2010, Avdeeva has established herself as one of the most compelling pianists of her generation. Known for her powerful technique, emotional depth and distinctive musical personality, she performs regularly with major orchestras around the world. In recent years, she has toured extensively with Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, forming a highly acclaimed artistic partnership built on mutual understanding and musical chemistry.

Two Evenings, Four Masterpieces

The upcoming Hong Kong concerts will feature four major works spanning different musical periods and styles.

The first concert will open with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor”. Grand and majestic in scale, the concerto showcases both virtuosity and heroic spirit, making it one of the most celebrated works in the piano repertoire. In the second half, the orchestra will perform Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 in B-flat, “Spring”. Filled with youthful energy and optimism, the symphony provides a bright and lyrical contrast to Beethoven’s monumental concerto.

In the second concert, Avdeeva will perform Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, one of the most beloved works in the Romantic piano repertoire, famous for its sweeping melodies and emotional intensity. The concert will conclude with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 in E minor, a monumental and emotionally complex work often regarded as one of the composer’s greatest symphonies.

Together, these programmes promise two evenings of powerful orchestral music, showcasing both the expressive depth of the orchestra and the artistic partnership between conductor and soloist.

A Return Highly Anticipated by Hong Kong Audiences

With its long history, distinctive orchestral sound, and deep musical traditions, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig remains one of the most respected orchestras in the world today. Its return to Hong Kong under the direction of Andris Nelsons, together with pianist Yulianna Avdeeva, will undoubtedly be a major event in the city’s classical music calendar.

Across two evenings, audiences will experience music ranging from the heroic grandeur of Beethoven and the poetic freshness of Schumann to the emotional richness of Rachmaninov and the dramatic intensity of Shostakovich. These concerts will not only showcase the orchestra’s exceptional artistry but also highlight the enduring power of the symphonic tradition that the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig has helped shape for nearly three centuries.

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Hong Kong Concerts

Dates: 2 to 3 June 2026 (Tuesday to Wednesday)
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket Prices: $1,600, $1,300, $1,000, $850, $650, $450

Programme Details:　https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1947.html

2 June
Beethoven | Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, “Emperor”
Schumann | Symphony No. 1 in B-flat, “Spring”

3 June
Rachmaninov | Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
Shostakovich  | Symphony No. 10 in E minor
Two pre-concert talks will be held.

Tickets available at URBTIX from 30 March onwards. A 30 per cent early bird discount will be offered.