Musical tour of Leipzig and other cities?

Leipzig is indeed a very good place for that. Don't forget Dresden which is close to Leipzig ...

I'm in a hurry right now, but here's a link to my Leipzig page on Virturaltourist.com:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/a548/

I.

If you go to this Deutsch-Welle page:
http://www.deutsche-welle.de/dw/article/0,,2739819,00.html

There is an article about a legendary Leipzig tavern, but (more importantly), there is also a video tour of Leipzig. On the right-hand tool bar of that page is a section on Cities. Click on My Leipzig for an interesting video guide.

http://www.leipzig.de/int/en/kultur_gastonomie/musik/

3 years ago we accompanied our daughter's high school orchestra on a concert tour of what was loosely called the Bach/Mozart Road [fortunately, we weren't chaparones!!]. We started in Frankfurt then to Eisenach, Leipzig and Dresden, Germany; Prague and Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Salzburg, Austria, and ended up in Munich. We also made quite a few stops in between these cities.

I'm sure you're already aware of how most of these places fit into the history of Bach and/or Mozart, but I'd be glad to give you some of the information we were given if you like. They were all thoroughly enjoyable and it was a wonderful trip. [In Mozart's birthplace they were even given a private concert on the harpsicord upon which he compased several of his pieces. Quite a thrill]

You asked about Leipzig in particular. It is definitely very much worth a visit (including Mendelssohn's house). It's a fascinating mixture of old and new. Very walkable. We attended an Evensong at St Thomas Church, the traditions and music of which were heavily influenced by Bach during his life.

I think you can have a wonderful trip.

Rebecka, if you do end up making this trip and visiting Leipzig, would you mind coming back here and give a brief review of the classical music-related sights? This is definitely something I'd be interested in.

I hope is sometime in the future I can make a trip to Prague - Dresden - Berlin. Leipzig seems an easy add-on to that.

We're hoping to do a weeklong trip to Dresden in September; it was originally scheduled to be last week, but my traveling partner developed health problems (blocked renal arteries with one kidney not functioning). Transatlantic travel was too risky
But if the surgery goes well, she'll be here end of August for three weeks.
While in Dresden, we'll make the Radisson our base and day trip to Leipzig, Meissen and Gorlitz.
Fingers crossed!

Oh, Passerine, sorry to hear that about your travel partner. Hope s/he is doing better and the surgery goes well.

That trip you're planning would definitely be great!

To the OP: Yes, the Mendelssohn house is well worth a visit. The Schumann house not so much. Too small IMO. The Bach museum is closed for reconstruction until spring 2010. The library with many original scores/documents is open, though. www.bach-leipzig.de
St. Thomas and St. Nikolai churches are well worth to visit and an organ recital or listening to the Thomaner boys choir is always a treat. You might also want to check out the musical instruments museum in the Grassi museum complex.

The Gewandhaus is a beautiful modern concert hall with excellent acoustics - the orchestra is first rate. Try to get tickets for a "Grosses Concert" (quite inexpensive). The opera house was rebuilt soon after WWII and is quite nice, too. Acoustics are a bit too 'dry' IMO, but they have a long tradition of excellent productions also. Again, tickets are relatively inexpensive.

Please add Dresden to your list - it is *the* place for Richard Strauss (9 of his operas had their world premiere at the opera house), Richard Wagner (museum in nearby Graupa where he wrote Lohengrin e.g.) and Carl-Maria v. Weber (museum in Dresden-Hosterwitz) and many others. And you can see the original score of Bach's Mass in h-minor in the State and University Library

I.

I spent a few days in Leipzig. Just sitting in the Thomaskirche was worth the trip. I walked past the Mendelssohn house, but it was closed. The tavern of course is a must, but I would recommend visiting the Rathskeller for lunch.

I second Ingo's recommendation to visit Dresden. If you can, listen to an organ concert in the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche. Magical.

If you really want to take a pilgrammage, follow in Bach's footsteps and walk to Lubbeck from Leipzig.

If you get to Vienna, the Best Western Tigra occupies the building where young Wolfgang stayed with Leopold in making his Vienna debut in October, 1762. The hall were it happened is around the corner. Mozart returned there for awhile in 1763 as an adult. The building of course is modernized and has additions, but still....

When you were in Vienna, did you see the musical instrument museum? It has a magnificent collection. If you visit www.flickr.com/photos/basingstoke2/sets you can see photos of the museum collection and the hotel with its historical plaques.

make that "1773 as an adult"

What can I say? You Fodorites are wunderbar! Thanks to all of you for the helpful advice.

Passserine, I hope your friend's surgery goes as well as possible and that you can both make that trip.

Ingo, I had a quick look at your Leipzig page and smiled when I saw that you are a fellow tea lover! Moreover, those descriptions of the Leipzig pastries make my mouth water, but I digress- Yes, I'll definitely consider visiting Dresden too; many years ago I only passed through on my way to Vienna.

Meanwhile, I'll have to look more closely at everyone's helpful links and respond in kind when I have the time.

Can you tell I'm already getting excited about this?

Rebecka - I have a list of all the hotels where we stayed in 06 which I'll be glad to provide with appropriate comments.

Thanks again to all of you for the advice. I have been exploring the links you posted and learning more. I was especially intrigued by a short slide show of the Mendelssohn House although I wish it were longer.

yk, that's a good idea about posting a classical music themed travelogue as there seems to be little about musical Leipzig and environs on this forum. I'll see what I can do.

dfr, thank you for offering the hotel list. That would be very helpful indeed!

basingstoke2, unfortunately I missed the Instrument Museum but maybe I can see that on my next trip? I did see Figaro Haus which was the most interesting of the composer museums I visited. Does the Instrument Museum include instruments owned by composers?

Considering the fact that the Bach Archive and Museum will not reopen until 2010, the trip may have to wait until then. Moreover, there will probably be a lot of other musical events in that area commemorating the birthdays of Schumann and Chopin next year, so maybe it is a good idea to be patient. That isn't easy now that the old travel bug is biting again!

Rebecka -For an unbelievable collection of instruments belonging to famous composers in Vienna, visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The setting is breathtaking as well.

rebecka - here's hotel list with comments.

Schlosshotel
Am Markt 10
Eisenach, Germany

Very nice size rooms, beautiful courtyard and excellent breakfast buffet

Hotel Accento Leipzig
Tauchaer Strasse 260
Leipzig, Germany

Nice modern hotel, but not in city center (which we prefer)

Hotel Emmy
Videnska 9
Prague, CR.

(same as comment re Leipzig)

Hotel Gomel
Prazska 14
Ceske Budejovice, CR

Would not recommend. Communist-era drab block structure, with virtually no personality and small rooms.

Gasthof Grunauer Hof
Grunaeurstrasse 90
Wals (Salzburg), Austria

Highly recommended. Beautiful alpine-style family operated inn. Gorgeous views of Alps and very nice modern rooms. Excellent breakfast buffet. Though it's not in the city center, it is a quick 5-7 min bus ride.

Hotel Kastanienhof
Am Bahnhof 7
Erdling (Munich), Germany

Very nice large rooms with balconies across from S-Bahn Station. Like above, it's not in city center but is a quick trip into town. It also has AC is that matters to you.

Hope this helps.

Hi Rebecka:

Regarding your trip to Dresden...Is the Radisson a good location? I am planning a trip to Germany May, 2010. Plan on 3 days in Dresden...1 day to Gorlitz, where my father was born! Will also visit Leipzig and Meissen...is 3 days enough?? Dresden will be our 2nd stop after 4 days in Berlin...from Dresden we fly to Vienna for 3 days..then train to Munich for 2 days and then to Frankfurt for 3 days. I'm rethinking Munich...maybe stay longer in Vienna and do some day trips.

Your comments are most appreciated.

judi

Just to clarify: the musical instrument collection that belongs to the Kunsthistorische Museum is not located in the main building of the Kunsthistorische Museum but rather in the Neue Burg building.

Good catch MT- I should have mentioned that.

judi1, I've never been to Dresden or Leipzig so hopefully someone else can help you with your query. Maybe you should post it in a new thread? Good luck!

Having you thought about going to see Mozart's house in Salzburg? It's definately worth a visit.

judi,

I am a bit confused - do you plan to stay 3 nights in Dresden and do these day trips during these 3 days? Görlitz, Leipzig, Meissen? Or do you plan to spend 3 days in Dresden and then go to Görlitz and the other towns?

Ingo....plan to spend 4 nights, 3 days in Dresden...and will do day trips to Gorlitz, Leipzig and Meissen. I believe Meissen is very close to Dresden, not sure I need a full day. I could extend Dresden stay a day or 2...

Thanks, Judi

well, you'll have three full days in Dresden and of those you'll take two days for trips to Görlitz and Leipzig. And another (at least!) half day for Meissen. So that leaves a half day for Dresden!!??

Speaking of a half day for Meissen - what are you planning to see there? The Porcelain manufacture tour alone will take two hours. Then there's an amazing Gothic Cathedral plus castle, a picturesque old town, wine tasting ... how to do all that in a half day? And I could tell you more than a half dozen *must see* places along the way between Dresden and Meissen which certainly take up the rest of the day.

I'd certainly extend the stay for 2 days! That doesn't even leave time for the National Park Saxon Switzerland.

I.

thanks Ingo...will adjust our schedule to add 2 days to Dresden. Would you please share with me your must see places?


Thank you so much..

judi

I will when I am back from my Munich business trip. Next weekend then. Maybe I'm going to need a reminder, though

And I too will need to remind myself to remind you! Would it be better if you e mail me directly?

THanks.

Judi

Actually I would be very interested to hear about Goerlitz - if anyone has been, can they please tell me a little about what they saw. I heard that it was a very wealthy town in the 15th c. (? correct me if I'm wrong). Would be interested to hear how and if it's being renovated like the rest of the east. I heard the fact that it was a border city for so long had left it in a pretty impoverished state but recently things were picking up when Poland became part of the EU. Anyone?

Lavandula

In Munich right now and had too much for breakfast Woke up to rain this morning. As usual this summer <sigh> but right now the sun fights its way through the clouds.

My email is ibrenn (at) web (dot) de - yes, good idea to email me.

lavandula - Görlitz is a jewel. Very well restored, but it had nothing to do with Poland joining the EU. The Polish part of the town, east of the river, is still in bad shape. And only 5% of the sights are located there, so there's no reason to go there, really. But Görlitz ... definitely worth one or two days (or more including the surroundings).

Oh, thank you, Ingo! Next time I am in Germany I will make sure I spend some time there!

Lavandula

My father was born in Gorlitz. I am planning to visit Gorlitz next June, during our Germany trip. The house my father was born in was still in very good condition in 1992 when my father made his first visit back since unification. I actually have a picture of him in the room he was born in. There is also a large cemetery where many of my fathers family are buried. I go there with mixed emotions...but have a desire to see my fathers birthplace. Ingo, I will e mail you my e mail address. Thanks so much.
Judi

Rethinking a day trip from Dresden to Gorlitz. THinking we should take the train from Dresden in the morning..spend the night in Gorlitz..and then take the train to Berlin the next morning.

Any suggestions for a nice place to stay...we're "senior Citizens"..but not that senior.

Also possibly looking for a driver/car/guide. Want to visit several places where my family lived.

Thanks, Judi

thanks, Judi