This unique study explores the making of bourgeois cultural identity by analysing and comparing the ethos and organisation of Leipzig's Gewandhaus and Birmingham's Triennial Festival from the late Eighteenth century to the outbreak of the Great War. It breaks new ground by employing a multidisciplinary approach -- social, political and cultural history, the history of ideas, philosophy, religion and music -- to identify the social processes which contributed to the particular music culture that developed in these two representative cities. These include specific repertoire traditions, performance and reception practice, architectural layout and interior design of concert halls and attitudes towards the roles of conductors and composers.