Gewandhausorchester and Andris Nelsons Perform the Symphony in F-sharp Minor by Dora Pejačević

Three years after the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, under the baton of maestro Andris Nelsons, repaid a century-old “debt” to Dora Pejačević by performing her Symphony in F-sharp minor, Op. 41, this remarkable work has once again found its place on the programme of one of Europe’s most renowned orchestras.

On Thursday and Friday, 30 and 31 October 2025, in the celebrated Gewandhaus concert hall in Leipzig, Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester will perform Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, featuring violinist Augustin Hadelich, alongside Pejačević’s Symphony in F-sharp minor, Op. 41.

It is worth recalling that the Symphony in F-sharp minor was first performed in 1920 in Dresden, conducted by Edwin Lindner, and that a performance in Leipzig under Arthur Nikisch was soon planned. Fate, however, intervened – Nikisch died unexpectedly – and the Gewandhausorchester fulfilled this historic intention only in 2022, exactly one hundred years later.

On 3 and 4 February 2022, the orchestra, again conducted by Andris Nelsons, included Pejačević’s Symphony in its Gewandhaus programme ([link to article: The Gewandhaus Orchestra Repays a “Century-old Debt” to Dora Pejačević! | MIC.hr]). The second concert – which was to be broadcast live by the Central German Radio (MDR) – had to be cancelled at the very last moment owing to Covid infections among members of the orchestra. The performance that did take place, however, left a lasting impression, and a review in the Leipziger Volkszeitung described Pejačević as “a brilliant composer whose music radiates individuality and irresistible charm.”

Forthcoming Performance at the Musikverein

It is a particular pleasure to note that the same programme will be presented by Gewandhausorchester and Andris Nelsons on 11 November 2025 at the Musikverein in Vienna. Pejačević’s music will thus once more resound in Vienna – a city of deep significance for the composer.

In a letter to the painter Maksimilijan Vanka, dated 9 November 1917, Dora Pejačević joyfully wrote:
“Today I am very happy, for I have received confirmation that one of the great dreams of my life will be realised. The director of the Tonkünstler Orchestra in Vienna, Oskar Nedbal, has accepted my Symphony. (…) So, on 25 January, my greatest work (so far) will be performed in Vienna.”

That (partial) performance did indeed take place in 1918, and more than a century later Pejačević’s Symphony returns to Vienna – this time in its full splendour.

MIC Performance Material

It is important to note that, as in the 2022 performances, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig is performing from the performance materials prepared by the Music Information Centre – Croatia (MIC).
This once again confirms that the editorial and publishing work of MIC is an essential foundation for the international presence of Croatia’s musical heritage – because #WithoutScoresThereAreNoPerformances