Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

The Swiss Radio Choir, also known as the Chœur de la Radio Suisse Romande (CRSR), is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1925, the choir has established itself as one of the leading vocal ensembles in Europe, with a rich history of performances and awards. The Swiss Radio Choir was originally established as the Chœur de la Radio Suisse Romande, under the direction of composer and conductor Ernest Ansermet. Ansermet was a prominent figure in the Swiss classical music scene, and he saw the potential for a professional choir to perform on the radio. The choir's first performance was broadcast on Radio Suisse Romande in 1925, and it quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances. Over the years, the Swiss Radio Choir has had a number of different conductors, each bringing their own unique style and vision to the ensemble. Some of the most notable conductors include Michel Corboz, who led the choir from 1962 to 1991, and Nicolas Fink, who has been the choir's conductor since 2015. The Swiss Radio Choir is made up of around 24 professional singers, who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The choir's members come from all over Switzerland and beyond, and they are known for their exceptional vocal abilities and musicality. One of the highlights of the Swiss Radio Choir's history was its performance at the 1939 World's Fair in New York City. The choir was invited to perform at the Swiss Pavilion, and its performance was broadcast live on American radio. This performance helped to establish the choir's reputation on an international level, and it paved the way for future performances abroad. In addition to its international performances, the Swiss Radio Choir has also been recognized for its excellence in the Swiss classical music scene. The choir has won numerous awards over the years, including the Prix de la Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture in 1991 and the Prix de la Ville de Genève in 2015. The Swiss Radio Choir's repertoire is diverse, ranging from early music to contemporary works. The choir is particularly known for its performances of choral works by Swiss composers, including Frank Martin, Arthur Honegger, and Othmar Schoeck. The choir has also collaborated with a number of prominent composers and conductors, including Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, and Claudio Abbado. One of the Swiss Radio Choir's most notable recent performances was its participation in the 2019 Lucerne Festival. The choir performed in a number of concerts throughout the festival, including a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and conductor Riccardo Chailly. The performance was widely praised for its energy and musicality, and it cemented the Swiss Radio Choir's reputation as one of the leading vocal ensembles in Europe. Overall, the Swiss Radio Choir has a rich history of performances and awards, and it continues to be a prominent figure in the Swiss classical music scene. With its exceptional vocal abilities and diverse repertoire, the choir is sure to continue delighting audiences for years to come.

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