Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

May 29, 1933 in Stuttgart, Germany

Genre

:

Choral

 

Helmuth Rilling is a renowned German conductor and choral director, known for his contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 29, 1933, in Stuttgart, Germany, Rilling grew up in a musical family and began his musical education at a young age. He studied piano, organ, and conducting at the Stuttgart Conservatory, where he was mentored by the renowned conductor Ferdinand Leitner. After completing his studies, Rilling began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras and choirs in Germany. In 1954, he founded the Gächinger Kantorei, a choir that would become one of the most respected and acclaimed in the world. Rilling served as the choir's conductor for over 50 years, leading them in performances of works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and other great composers. Throughout his career, Rilling has been a champion of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. He has conducted and recorded all of Bach's major choral works, including the Mass in B Minor, the St. Matthew Passion, and the St. John Passion. His recordings of these works are considered some of the finest ever made, and have won numerous awards and accolades. In addition to his work with the Gächinger Kantorei, Rilling has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as the artistic director of the Oregon Bach Festival, a summer music festival in the United States that focuses on the music of Bach and other composers. Rilling's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1985, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, one of the country's highest honors. He has also been awarded the Bach Medal by the city of Leipzig, the Robert Schumann Prize by the city of Zwickau, and the Herbert von Karajan Music Prize. Despite his many accomplishments, Rilling remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to conduct and record music, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of his generation. His legacy as a musician and educator will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers for years to come.

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