Getting Up Close and Personal with the Greats

Written on 1/16/16

Hello again everybody,

I apologize for posting this blog a day late. You have no idea how many technological battles it takes to get just one blog post up. In fact, I am writing the text of this post while waiting for all of my photos to download in the background, which is unfortunately happening at snail pace. However, even though we arrived in Berlin this afternoon, my mind is still very much on Leipzig and the amazing last day we had!

For our last day in Leipzig, we really got to Mendelssohn and the Schumann's up close and personal. By this I mean that we actually got to experience what their lives would have been like by visiting their former homes. It was truly like stepping back in time.

First we visited the Mendelssohn house, where Felix Mendelssohn spent many years of his life (including his last). In fact, we even stood in the room where Mendelssohn is said to have passed away after falling ill. This, for me, was a similar experience to visiting Bach's grave. It was haunting to stand in the room of a very talented man who died so young and wonder what other beautiful things he would have composed had he lived longer. Visiting Mendelssohn home reminded me that the composers we as musicians hold in such reverence were indeed real people, not just a name on a page of music. Walking through each of the rooms, I could imagine Mendelssohn entertaining guests by playing music in his salon or working on a new composition in his study. The museum really brought him to life for me.

Next we ventured to the house where Clara and Robert Schumann lived for a few years when they were newly married. The museum itself was significantly smaller than the Mendelssohn one but still powerful. One thing I really appreciated about it was the focus on Clara and not just Robert. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to be a female composer during that time as well as the many hardships Clara had to endure when her husband became mentally ill. I find her very inspirational and really appreciated the opportunity to step into her life, albeit briefly. 

However, the most amazing thing about the Schumann house to me is that it has been partially converted into a music school for young children. Walking through the house, I could hear a child having a piano lesson and students would flit in and out of the rooms looking for teachers. I think the idea that these children are taking their first musical steps in the house where the Schumanns lived is really beautiful to me. This is just so indicative of the idea that musical knowledge has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years and I love that these students will learn about musical history in such and intimate way. 

Finally, that evening we attend a Gewandhaus Orchestra concert. We actually got to sit in the organ loft behind the orchestra and watch the conductor the way the musicians do. This was such a cool place to sit because it allowed us to feel as if we were actually sitting in the orchestra playing along with them. The Gewandhaus Orchestra is the best orchestra I have ever heard live. Their movements seemed coordinated, almost as if they were dancing to the music, and you could tell just how involved each and ever member of the orchestra was. The music really seemed to flow naturally. I was also particularly impressed with their dynamic contrast. There were times in each piece where I thought the volume had reached its peak and then the orchestra would push it even further. It was absolutely breathtaking. 

I wish I had a picture of this but after the concert, Claire, Ingrid, and I decided to sit outside while having dinner. Near the end of the meal it started snowing heavily and continued while we walked back to the hostel. I'm have never experienced anything quite as magical as walking through Leipzig in the snow and I don't think I ever will. 

Now, after three trains and a lot of stress, we have finally arrived in Berlin! Tonight we see the Berlin Phil and we just found out we will have seats facing the conductor again, which I am beyond excited for.

Finally, I have to talk a little bit about food because it is just too delicious not to mention. We went to a Czech restaurant near the hostel yesterday and I ordered "Baked Cheese." I am now even more excited about visiting Prague because any country in which "Baked Cheese" is considered a meal is good in my book. I also ate an ice cream sundae that was literally on fire. It was, as you can probably guess, incredible.

Auf Wiedersehen,

Megan Cummings