Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Grazer Concert Choir is a classical music ensemble based in Graz, Austria. Founded in 1952, the choir has become one of the most renowned choral groups in Europe, known for its exceptional performances of classical choral works. The choir was founded by a group of music enthusiasts who wanted to create a high-quality choral ensemble in Graz. The founding members included several music teachers and students from the Graz University of Music and Performing Arts. The choir's first conductor was Franz Jochum, who led the group for over a decade. Over the years, the Grazer Concert Choir has had several conductors, each bringing their own unique style and vision to the group. In 1965, the choir was led by conductor Helmuth Rilling, who went on to become one of the most respected choral conductors in the world. Rilling's tenure with the choir was marked by several notable performances, including a performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor that was recorded and released on LP. In the 1970s, the choir was led by conductor Erwin Ortner, who brought a new level of professionalism and discipline to the group. Under Ortner's leadership, the choir began to focus on performing a wide range of choral works, from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary compositions. The choir also began to tour extensively, performing in countries throughout Europe and beyond. One of the highlights of the Grazer Concert Choir's history was its performance at the 1987 Salzburg Festival. The choir was invited to perform in a production of Mozart's opera "Idomeneo," conducted by Sir Georg Solti. The production was a critical and commercial success, and helped to raise the choir's profile on the international stage. In the 1990s, the choir was led by conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who was known for his innovative and historically informed approach to choral music. Harnoncourt's tenure with the choir was marked by several notable performances, including a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion that was recorded and released on CD. In recent years, the Grazer Concert Choir has continued to perform at a high level under the leadership of conductor Elisabeth Fuchs. The choir has performed a wide range of choral works, from the classics of the choral repertoire to contemporary compositions. The choir has also continued to tour extensively, performing in countries throughout Europe and beyond. The Grazer Concert Choir has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1972, the choir was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for its recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor. In 1993, the choir was awarded the Austrian State Prize for Music. And in 2012, the choir was awarded the European Choir Prize for its outstanding contributions to the choral music world. In conclusion, the Grazer Concert Choir is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been performing at a high level for nearly 70 years. With a rich history of exceptional performances and innovative leadership, the choir has become one of the most respected choral groups in Europe and beyond.

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