Leipzig: danke meme, bro. -Anika

    The abundant museums, intricate architecture, and small-town vibe of Leipzig give the city a unique energy that combines a lively, youthful feel with a relaxed European atmosphere. Overall, its just a very pleasant place to be. I can understand what drew so many famous musicians, philosophers, writers, and artistic minds to the city. 

    Seeing St. Thomas Church where J.S. Bach was once employed and is now buried was a humbling and grounding experience after a busy morning of travel. The church is predictably gorgeous from the outside. But stepping into the space fills you with a sense of reserved comfort and wonder. The arches, the alter, and the two massive organs where Bach worked radiate sacredness. 

    St. Thomas Church is just one example of the significant musical history that is intertwined with the culture of Leipzig. A few class visits to the Gewandhaus, where Felix Mendelssohn served as kapellmeister, opened our eyes to the possibilities of world-class musical precision. The masterful technique with which each musician played was so remarkably in-synch with one another, it's no wonder the Gewandhaus Orchestra is regarded as one of the finest in the world. The taxpayers of Leipzig fund the venue, the orchestra, and the conductor, which demonstrates a remarkable appreciation for this level of art that is very difficult to find in most other parts of the world. Similarly, the level of artistry and precision demonstrated at the Rachmaninoff Ballet was a masterful display of visual arts, kinesthetic expression, and professional level music working together in perfect synchronicity. Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto in particular moved a good portion of the audience to tears. 

    I greatly enjoyed my time at the Mendelssohn house, where Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and his family resided more than 200 years ago. Walking through the rooms where Felix and his sister Fanny used to premier their works for small audiences of nobles and townspeople was an inspiring experience. When thinking about the great people of history, there can often be a veil that separates the cultural and historical context of their time from ours. It makes it more difficult to imagine these great historical figures as actual human beings. But seeing where the Mendelssohns worked, ate, and relaxed as a family allowed me to step into another time, and I almost expected a 19th century concert goer to step around the corner to greet me. And then one did. But, it was just Caroline, who had found the dress up exhibit, where you could adorn the popular fashions of the time for a free photoshoot. Enjoy our meme-like reenactment of 19th century family photos.