Leipzig's international reputation as a city of music is closely associated with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, which is based in the Gewandhaus concert hall on Augustusplatz, one of the city’s most famous buildings. The first Gewandhaus was built in 1781 by architect Johann Carl Friedrich Dauthe, the second opened on 11 December 1884, but was destroyed in 1943-1944 during World War II and the present building, the third, opened on 8 October 1981. There is a large organ in the hall, which bears the orchestra's long standing motto "res severa verum gaudium" ("a serious concern is true pleasure", or "true pleasure is a serious business"). This has been the motto of the orchestra since it moved into its first concert hall in 1781.

In the early 19th century, Felix Mendelssohn was the Kapellmeister and later principal conductors included Arthur Nikisch, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bruno Walter, and Vaclav Neumann.

Grosses Concerte

Concerts are given regularly in the Grand Hall of the Gewandhaus, featuring the works of composers from around the world.

The Gewandhaus is situated on the Augustplatz site where the Museum of Fine Arts once displayed its treasures. The main foyer with its three levels is dominated by the colourfully vibrant ceiling painting "Song of Life" by the Leipzig based artist Sighard Gille. It is spread over four ceiling diagonals (with an area of 712 square metres) making it Europe’s largest ceiling painting. Illuminated by spotlights at night, it impressively radiates through the glass façade of the building to the square outside. The Great Hall with its amphitheatrically arranged seating provides seats for an audience of over 1,900 and is crowned by the majestic organ from the Schuke Company in Potsdam with its four manuals, 89 pipe registers, three registers for glockenspiel and cymbal bells and 6,638 pipes.