For his inaugural concert as the new Gewandhauskapellmeister, Andris Nelsons chose three pieces, each with symbolic power. At its centre is the 'Scottish' Symphony by Felix Mendelssohn, his most prominent predecessor, which was premiered by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig under the baton of the composer himself in 1842. The Symphony is framed by a commissioned work by the Leipzig composer Steffen Schleiermacher and Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, a key work of classical modernism. There is no question about it: this programme defines his agenda. It professes Leipzig's rich musical tradition, spanning the period from the 19th to the 20th century, and to the music of our time.

Recorded at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, 22/23 February 2018

Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Region code: 0
Running time: 92:57
Disc format: DVD 9

Reviews

Andris Nelsons’s official opening concert as principal conductor of the Gewandhausorchester offers top-flight music-making being allowed – and with Nelsons at the helm, ceaselessly encouraged – to do its own talking. ... in the passage in the slow finale where the solo violin’s line is gradually joined by the rest of the first violin section playing in unsion, Skride turns round to face them as she plays with them – a lovely moment, caught by the camera. Malcolm Hayes (Orchestral Choice)

BBC Music Magazine December 2018