Outstanding musicians need excellent logistics services to ensure the safety of their precious, delicate and sometimes irreplaceable instruments on concert tours. This is why the renowned Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has chosen DHL as its official logistics partner. DHL ensures the ensemble stays in rhythm around the globe during its extensive touring schedule.
The World’s Largest Traveling Orchestra and DHL: Music and Logistics in Harmony
The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious orchestras. In fact, it is the world’s oldest civic symphony orchestra. It originated from the concert society “Das Große Concert”, which was founded in 1743. But why is it called the Gewandhaus Orchestra (“Cloth Hall Orchestra”) today? Well, when the ensemble moved to the Leipzig clothmakers’ industrial hall in 1781, it gained not only its first high-quality concert hall, but also its current name.
The Gewandhaus Orchestra is also the world’s largest touring orchestra. Around 185 musicians spend a third of the year travelling from concert hall to concert hall, from country to country, from continent to continent. The world’s largest musical touring ensemble and the world’s largest logistics service provider make a strong team. Since 2009, DHL has been rising to the major challenges associated with tours of this magnitude with expertise and passion.
And passion is exactly what is needed here. After all, as Richard Wagner wrote, “Music is the language of passion”. It is universal and touches the hearts of millions. DHL is proud to be working with the Gewandhaus Orchestra to create unforgettable experiences and bring magnificent music to life.
Six Tons of Highly Sensitive Cargo
As the Gewandhaus Orchestra’s official logistics partner, DHL ensures the safe and timely transport of six tons of sensitive instruments and equipment to each concert venue, including customs clearance. These valuable instruments range in weight from 0.5 kilograms for a triangle to 270 kilograms for a celesta, a special keyboard instrument.
Many of the instruments are extremely sensitive, with some dating back several hundred years. If they get too cold or too warm, they can get out of tune or even get damaged. This is why all the equipment is packed in over 100 special containers and transported in temperature-controlled trucks.
The cases for the most delicate instruments are equipped with smart sensors that protect them from temperature fluctuations, humidity, shocks, light, and air pressure. These measures ensure that every sensitive instrument arrives safely and in tune at the next concert hall, ready to enchant the audience with its unique sound.
Flexible Time Management Is in Demand
During international tours, the Gewandhaus Orchestra often performs in a different country each night. Organizing the logistics of one of the world’s most traveled orchestras therefore requires the ability to react quickly to changing conditions and local circumstances. Another major challenge is effective time management to ensure that the musicians and their instruments are always in the right place at the right time.
Joint Tours, Shared Values
As a partner of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, DHL carries the music of this top orchestra around the world. However, DHL also wants to make an impact in the home of this world-famous orchestra. The two partners share many values and demonstrate social commitment. This became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic when, with DHL’s support, members of the ensemble performed open-air concerts in front of retirement homes, bringing artistic joy to residents who had to forgo social contact.
This commitment led to the tradition of pop-up concerts in and around Leipzig. First, only a DHL truck rolls onto the scene. The engine falls silent, the tarpaulin opens like a curtain, and the trailer transforms into a stage. This happens in a variety of locations, not only in the busy city center but also in the suburbs and surrounding communities.
Always in Sync, Always on Time, Always Ready for New Tasks
Successful tours with the Gewandhaus Orchestra demonstrate DHL and DHL Freight’s ability to handle highly complex logistics. With the inventive campaign, “The Greatest Are Coming”, DHL and the Gewandhaus Orchestra recognize their long-standing joint success.
But pop music fans can count on us, too. In collaboration with Coldplay, we have demonstrated that it’s possible to not only make gigantic pop tours run smoothly, but also to make them more sustainable. No logistical challenge is too daunting for DHL’s experts. Whether we’re relocating endangered animals for conservation projects, transporting delicate pharmaceuticals, or racing cars – we’re ready to take on any challenge.
At DHL Freight, we are committed to meeting your unusual transport needs. But we are also 100 percent passionate about our day-to-day business. Our customers can count on us. Not only do we deliver the 18th-century violin, we deliver every shipment as quickly, safely, and sustainably as possible.
