Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Norway

Genre

:

Choral

 

Schola Cantorum is a classical music choir that was founded in 1964 by Laszlo Heltay, a Hungarian conductor and music educator. The choir is based in Oxford, England, and is made up of approximately 30 singers who are all highly trained in classical music. The birth of Schola Cantorum can be traced back to Heltay's desire to create a choir that would perform a wide range of classical music, from the Renaissance to the present day. He wanted to create a choir that would be known for its high level of musical excellence and its ability to perform challenging pieces with precision and emotion. Heltay began by recruiting a group of talented singers from the Oxford area, many of whom were students at the university. He then began to train the choir in the techniques of classical choral singing, focusing on things like vocal control, breath support, and ensemble blending. In the early years of its existence, Schola Cantorum performed primarily in Oxford and the surrounding area, but it quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and began to attract attention from music lovers and critics across the country. One of the highlights of Schola Cantorum's early years was its performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 1967. This was a particularly challenging piece, both musically and emotionally, and the choir's performance was widely praised for its depth and sensitivity. Over the years, Schola Cantorum continued to grow and evolve, adding new singers and expanding its repertoire to include works by composers from around the world. The choir also began to perform more frequently outside of Oxford, touring throughout the UK and Europe and even making several trips to the United States. One of the most significant moments in Schola Cantorum's history came in 1982, when the choir was invited to perform at the BBC Proms, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. The choir's performance of Handel's Messiah was a huge success, and it helped to cement Schola Cantorum's reputation as one of the finest choirs in the UK. In the years that followed, Schola Cantorum continued to perform at major festivals and venues around the world, including the Edinburgh Festival, the Salzburg Festival, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. The choir also recorded several albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of Mozart's Requiem. Throughout its history, Schola Cantorum has been recognized for its exceptional performances and its contributions to the world of classical music. The choir has won numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Choral Recording in 1994. Today, Schola Cantorum continues to be a leading force in the world of classical choral music. The choir is still based in Oxford and is led by conductor James Burton, who has been with the choir since 2009. Under Burton's leadership, Schola Cantorum has continued to push the boundaries of classical choral music, performing works by contemporary composers and collaborating with other artists and ensembles from around the world. In conclusion, Schola Cantorum is a classical music choir that has been making waves in the world of choral music for over 50 years. Founded by Laszlo Heltay in 1964, the choir has grown and evolved over the years, performing at major festivals and venues around the world and winning numerous awards and accolades along the way.

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