Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Lucas & Arthur Jussen / Andris Nelsons

Siblings in concert

What might it have been like in the Mendelssohn or Jussen household? Were there always enough pianos for all the children to practise at the same time? It is inconceivable that Felix Mendelssohn was only 14 years old when he premiered his double concerto with his sister Fanny, who was four years older, at a matinee in his parents’ home. »What are all the child prodigies compared to him?« wrote the piano virtuoso Ignaz Moscheles at the time. Lucas and Arthur Jussen also achieved astonishing mastery of the piano at a very young age – they made their debut at the Concertgebouw when they were 10 and 13 years of age respectively... When the brothers appear alongside the renowned Gewandhausorchester Leipzig in the current ProArte season, Andris Nelsons, a true successor to Mendelssohn as only 13 conductors separate them, will be conducting the top orchestra.