Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Kölner Kantorei is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Cologne, Germany. The ensemble was founded in 1956 by Volker Hempfling, a German conductor and organist. Hempfling was a student of the famous German conductor and composer, Karl Richter, and he was inspired to create a choir that would perform the great choral works of the Baroque and Classical periods. The Kölner Kantorei quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and it became one of the leading choral ensembles in Germany. The choir's repertoire includes works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and many other great composers. The ensemble has also commissioned and premiered new works by contemporary composers, including Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, and Wolfgang Rihm. Over the years, the Kölner Kantorei has had many distinguished members, including the German soprano, Edith Wiens, and the American tenor, James Taylor. The choir has also collaborated with many renowned conductors, including Herbert von Karajan, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and Helmuth Rilling. One of the highlights of the Kölner Kantorei's career was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 1965. The performance was conducted by Volker Hempfling and featured the renowned German tenor, Peter Schreier, as the Evangelist. The performance was widely praised for its emotional intensity and musical excellence, and it helped to establish the Kölner Kantorei as one of the leading choral ensembles in Europe. In 1970, the Kölner Kantorei was invited to perform at the Salzburg Festival, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. The choir performed Bach's Mass in B Minor under the direction of Karl Richter, and the performance was a great success. The Kölner Kantorei has since been invited to perform at many other major festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival, the Berlin Festival, and the Rheingau Musik Festival. The Kölner Kantorei has also received many awards and accolades over the years. In 1986, the choir was awarded the German Record Critics' Award for its recording of Bach's St. John Passion. The choir has also won several Echo Klassik awards, one of the most prestigious classical music awards in Germany. In 2016, the Kölner Kantorei celebrated its 60th anniversary with a special concert at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, which was attended by many of the choir's former members and collaborators. Today, the Kölner Kantorei is led by its current conductor, Peter Neumann. Neumann is a renowned German conductor and musicologist, and he has been the artistic director of the Kölner Kantorei since 1999. Under Neumann's leadership, the choir has continued to perform at the highest level, and it has maintained its reputation as one of the leading choral ensembles in Europe. In conclusion, the Kölner Kantorei is a remarkable classical music ensemble with a rich history and a legacy of musical excellence. Founded in 1956 by Volker Hempfling, the choir has performed many of the great choral works of the Baroque and Classical periods, and it has collaborated with many renowned conductors and soloists. The Kölner Kantorei has also received many awards and accolades over the years, and it continues to be a major force in the world of classical music today.

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