Karl Amadeus Hartmann live in Leipzig

Experience Karl Amadeus Hartmann live on October 25th

On October 25, 2026, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig will host a concert dedicated to the works of Karl Amadeus Hartmann. Hartmann (1905-1963) was a German composer associated with musical modernism, though his style is often described as a uniquely German response to serialism and twelve-tone technique. While employing these techniques, his music frequently retains a strong late-Romantic expressive quality, often characterized by dramatic intensity, complex orchestration, and a sense of psychological depth. He consciously sought to create a “Widerstandsmusik” – music of resistance – against the Nazi regime, although overtly political statements were avoided in favor of expressing universal human suffering.

The Gewandhaus itself holds significant historical importance. Established in 1743 by merchants in Leipzig, it is one of the oldest and most renowned concert halls in the world. Originally a multi-purpose building, it became dedicated solely to concerts in 1888 with the opening of its current neo-Renaissance building designed by William Lossow. Felix Mendelssohn served as its Kapellmeister for many years, significantly shaping its reputation through his championing of composers like Bach and Schumann.