What is your favourite tour - a musical walk through Hamburg? I take you back in time to the classical composers who lived in Hamburg and shaped Hamburg's musical life.
Opera reformer
We start at Gustav-Mahler-Platz, not far from the Hamburg State Opera. Gustav Mahler was musical director of the opera for six years. It is true that he always held Hamburg and its people in high esteem. However, he did not spare them critical remarks about the audience`s lack of understanding of music. Let me tell you about his fascinating personality. How he fundamentally reformed the style of opera and still found time for his passion, composing, alongside his work as music director and conductor.
Honorary citizen
We walk further into the historic Gängeviertel to the place where Johannes Brahms was born. It was not until late that he was recognised by the people of Hamburg and awarded honorary citizenship. However, he was not entirely innocent of this.
Financial genius
In the footsteps of the great composers, we also encounter Georg Philipp Telemann. Telemann was Germany's most famous composer in his time. The baroque multi-talent left behind more compositions than Bach and Handel combined. And knew how to market himself successfully in the process. Unlike many others, Mr Telemann had no money worries.
Intimate friendship
Our musical walk through the Composers' Quarter also takes us to the monument to the siblings Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn. The siblings only spent a few years in their hometown. Nevertheless, they continue to inspire Hamburg and Hamburgians to this day with their wonderful music. Even as a child, Felix was allowed to audition for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. A very intimate friendship developed between them that was to last a lifetime.
Fanny Hensel, Felix's big sister, was taught by the same music teachers. She was also a brilliant composer. Although she was not allowed to appear in public as a composer, she excelled as an accomplished concert organiser.
Surprise
At the end of our musical walk and every now and then in between, a little musical surprise awaits you. I have rehearsed songs by the composers and will musically accompany my stories about the composers in this way.
Tours take place with a minimum of 6 participants.
