In 2009, Leipzig will honour the 200th anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn's birth with a series of musical celebrations around the city. The official Mendelssohn Year will see international stars from the world of classical music, including the Basle Chamber Orchestra and Paul McCreesh, the Emerson String Quartet, Quatuor Mosaïques, Thomas Hampson and many others, come together to pay tribute to this iconic composer.

The Mendelssohn Festival 2009 will be an extended version of the normal annual event and will run from 21st August to 18th September 2009. One of the highlights of the 2009 festival will be the final performance by the legendary Beaux Art Trio.

This year of classical music celebration will see Leipzig's musical history written again as several composers, including the likes of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, will present their newly composed pieces especially for Mendelssohn's 200th anniversary. Drawing on Mendelssohn's work for inspiration, these brand new compositions will premier during the 2009 Mendelssohn Festival.