Photograph: Hermann Walter, 1885; Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig
Housed in a building in the courtyard of the old Gewandhaus in Neumarkt, the Conservatorium der Musik opened its doors on 2nd April 1843. Its initiation is of enormous historical significance, since it was the first institution dedicated to the advanced education of musicians in the German territory of the time.
The Altes Konservatorium’s most influential co-founder was the then Gewandhauskapellmeister Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47). Mendelssohn succeeding in attracting an imposing array of his most celebrated colleagues to undertake teaching duties at the Konservatorium, a tradition which continued after his death. Eminent professors of the past include the Gewandhaus Orchestra Concert Master, Ferdinand David (1810-1873), the pianist Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870) and the composers Robert Schumann (1810-1856), Niels W. Gade (1817-1890) and Carl Reinecke (1824-1910).
The practical curriculum was originally limited to the study of the piano, violin, organ, singing and composition. During the course of the 19th century, however, the syllabus was gradually expanded to include the instruction of all standard orchestral instruments.
The establishment, collaborating closely with the Gewandhausorchester from its inception, rapidly gained international recognition, attracting students - both male and female - from numerous European states and even from as far afield as America.
Among the most prominent alumni of the Konservatorium’s first decades are Edvard Grieg, who spent the years 1858-62 in Leipzig, and Leoš Janáček from 1879 to 1880.
In 1887, the Conservatoire took occupation of its current campus in Grassistraße 8 (see College of Music and Theatre, Notenbogen Station 10).
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Station 19, Standort Geburtshaus Clara Wieck / Site of Clara Wieck's birth house |
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Standort Altes Konservatorium / Site of Old Conservatoire (Music Trail station 20) |
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Station 21, Standort Erstes Gewandhaus / Site of first Gewandhaus |
