Leipzig and Berlin

Catching up....

After the Gewandhaus Briass Quintet, we visited Bach's church as well as the Bach museum. Below is a restored version of an organ Bach had played on. 

Instruments in Bach's time in order from left to right- bassoon, oboe d'caccia, oboe d'amore, oboe, and recorder. 

An original Bach manuscript written for oboe. 

After that visit, we went to the oldest coffee shop in Leipzig (aforementioned and pictured in my previous post.) 

Alan and his tiny coffee cup hat. 

The next day, we visited the Mendelssohn Haus, which contained a museum dedicated to him. The rooms were reconstructed to look as he painted them himself. There, they had an awesome interactive conducting room where we conducted Mendelssohn's Overture to a Midsummer Nights Dream, one of my favorite pieces. 

On the way to Schumann's Haus, we stumbled upon a cemetery. Here, we discovered the sister and mother of Richard Wagner! A pure chance encounter. 

We arrived to the Schumann's former apartment that they had lived in for four years. It was a converted elementary school in the lower levels. Honestly, I was less impressed. However, I believe it being a school had something to do with its lackluster appearance. Also, we had just come from a very well preserved and presented Mendelssohn Haus.  

That night, we witnessed the amazing Gewandhaus Orchester in their equally amazing hall. I was absolutely blown away at how they moved together like a living organism. 

The next day was travel day. We took a short train ride to Berlin. As a whole, it is a shock coming from Leipzig to Berlin. Leipzig was a small, clean, and quaint city. Berlin is the opposite. However, it is a very interesting and historic city. 

This was our view for the Berlin Philharmonie. We sat directly behind the timpani, on the stage. As a performer, it felt as if I was playing in the concert as well. 

The next morning we set off to take a walking tour of Berlin. We visited the world famous monument, and saw many other historic sights around the city. 

We ended the day with the Swan Lake Ballet. As someone who is a complete nut for ballet, this was an experience I will never forget. The set design, costume, dancing, and music were absolutely unforgettable, and the best I have ever seen in my life. I would see it all over again if I could. 

-Lydia