A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gewandhaus Concerts
GEWANDHAUS CONCERTS. So called from their being held in the Hall of the Gewandhaus, the ancient armoury of the city of Leipzig. They date from the time when Bach was Cantor of the Thomas-schule (1723–50), and the original title was 'das grosse Concert.' The first performances were held in a private house in 1743; the conductor was Doles, afterwards Cantor of the Thomas-schule (1756–89), and the orchestra consisted of 16 performers. They were interrupted by the Seven Years War, but resumed on its termination in 1763, under the direction of J. A. Hiller, who conducted them at his own risk, and gave them the title of 'Liebhaberconcerte.' The orchestra was increased to 30, and regular performances held down to Easter 1778. After a pause of three years the concerts were resumed, and located in the Gewandhaus, to which a hall for balls and concerts had lately been added. The credit of this change is due to Burgermeister Karl Wilhelm Müller, who has a right to be considered as the founder of the institution in its present form. He and eleven of his friends constituted themselves a board of directors, appointed J. A. Hiller as conductor, and opened a subscription list for 24 concerts. The first concert in the new rooms took place on Sept. 29, 1781; the first regular subscription concert on Nov. 25. At present there are 20 winter-concerts and 2 benefit-concerts, one for the orchestra pension-fund, the other for the poor. The programmes are miscellaneous orchestral pieces, instrumental and vocal solos, and choruses. Since 1809 eight soirées devoted to chamber-music have also been given. The orchestra now numbers about 70 performers; Karl Reinecke is the conductor; and there are 12 directors. The most brilliant period of the Gewandhaus Concerts was during Mendelssohn's conductorship.
The names of the conductors are as follows:— Johann Friedrich Doles (1743–44); Johann Adam Hiller (1763–85); Johann Gottfried Schicht (1785–1810); Johann Philipp Christian Schulz (1810–27); Christian August Pohlenz (1827–35); Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1835–43); Ferdinand Hiller (1843–44); Niels W. Gade (1844–48); Julius Rietz (1848–60); Karl Reinecke (1860).