1st Classical Saxophone Festival Leipzig “OVERTURE” February 2024
Since February 2024, Leipzig and the German cultural landscape have been enriched by a remarkable new festival!
Initiated and organized by Prof. Henk van Twillert (Escola de Música e Artes do Espetáculo, Porto, Portugal) and Dr. Frank Liebscher (University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” Leipzig), the 1st International Festival for Classical Saxophone “OVERTURE” took place from February 20–23, 2024, at the HMT Leipzig.
Over the four festival days, audiences enjoyed brilliant concerts at six of Leipzig’s most iconic venues: the Great Hall of the HMT Leipzig, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, the Alte Börse, the ceremonial hall of the Old Town Hall, the Black Box of the HMT at Dittrichring, and the world-famous St. Thomas Church.
The festival’s repertoire drew from the extensive body of original classical literature as well as special arrangements for saxophone, saxophone ensemble, and saxophone with piano.
The principal artistic contributors—alongside the initiators—were the outstanding students of Prof. van Twillert’s saxophone class at the Escola de Música e Artes do Espetáculo, Porto: Sara Pais, Nuno Ramos, Vítor Marçal, Eugenio Silva, Gonçalo Silva, and Luis Nitsche.
These young musicians perform at the highest international level and form, in various constellations, the ensembles “Vento do Norte” and “Rosa dos Ventos.”
Whether appearing as soloists, in ensembles, or in collaboration with the magnificent pianists Christiane Neumann and Silke Peterson, they captivated audiences throughout with artistic brilliance and passionate musical energy.
The Great Hall of the HMT Leipzig filled up already an hour before the opening concert—so much so that the balcony had to be opened; repeat visitors at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations and the Alte Börse; record attendance at the “Sound Pause” in the Old Town Hall; a double-seated closing concert in the Black Box; and standing ovations in St. Thomas Church — one could hardly wish for more from a debut festival!
Our heartfelt thanks go to the HMT Leipzig for their courage and extraordinary administrative and logistical support; to the City History Museum, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, and St. Thomas Church for the outstanding collaborations—once again proving how Leipzig succeeds in shaping a vibrant musical present on the foundation of its rich cultural heritage.
Thunderous applause to our festival team — Amely Kollars, Lukas Kranz, Axel Babini, and Tilo Künne — for moderation, video, wardrobe, box office, and simply everything. Without their dedicated and thoughtful work and coordination, a festival like this would not have been possible.
But the greatest joy for us was undoubtedly seeing the festival’s mission fulfilled:
to inspire an open and curious audience who recognized, appreciated, and embraced the quality, diversity, and beauty of the unfamiliar sounds of the classical saxophone.
Leipzig can be counted on!
With our deepest gratitude — and we look forward to seeing you again in 2026!
