Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

The MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with its angelic voices for over 70 years. Founded in 1946, the choir has become one of the most respected and celebrated children's choirs in the world, known for its exceptional musicality and professionalism. The choir was established in the aftermath of World War II, when the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra was looking to create a children's choir to perform on the radio. The first conductor of the choir was Helmut Kahlhöfer, who led the ensemble until 1950. Under his leadership, the choir quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and began performing in concerts and festivals throughout Germany. Over the years, the MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir has had many talented conductors, including Kurt Masur, who led the choir from 1955 to 1958. During Masur's tenure, the choir expanded its repertoire to include more contemporary music, and began touring internationally. Other notable conductors have included Gert Frischmuth, who led the choir from 1972 to 1990, and Ulrich Kaiser, who has been the choir's conductor since 1991. The MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir is made up of around 120 children between the ages of 9 and 18, who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The choir is known for its exceptional musicality and professionalism, and its members are trained to sing a wide range of repertoire, from classical choral works to contemporary music. Over the years, the MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals. In 1956, the choir performed at the Salzburg Festival, one of the most important classical music festivals in the world. The choir has also performed at the Berlin Philharmonic, the Gewandhaus Leipzig, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. One of the choir's most memorable performances was at the opening ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The choir performed the German national anthem, "Das Lied der Deutschen," in front of a global audience of millions. The performance was widely praised for its beauty and professionalism, and helped to cement the choir's reputation as one of the world's leading children's choirs. The MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir has also won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1964, the choir was awarded the National Prize of East Germany, one of the highest honors in the country. The choir has also won several international competitions, including the International Choir Competition in Budapest in 1978, and the International Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf in 1997. In addition to its performances and awards, the MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir is also known for its commitment to education and outreach. The choir regularly holds workshops and masterclasses for young singers, and has established partnerships with schools and music organizations throughout Germany. Overall, the MDR Leipzig Radio Children's Choir is a true gem of the classical music world. With its exceptional musicality, professionalism, and commitment to education and outreach, the choir has become one of the most respected and celebrated children's choirs in the world, and continues to inspire audiences with its angelic voices.

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