Die Singphoniker

The six singers of this Munich ensemble have undertaken many new projects in recent years, and everything they have undertaken has had one thing in common: it has been set new standards. Nikolaus Harnoncourt has played an important role in the quest for the authentic interpretation of instrumental music, and, similarly, the Singphoniker regard themselves as new interpreters of a forgotten tradition in the vocal chamber music of the nineteenth century. The ensemble´s great succes in this field is reflected in its many awards and rave reviews: its last five CDs have received recording prizes ( Diapason d´or ), and its concerts and recordings have been acclaimed with hymnic praise in the international music press for many years.

The tenors Alfons Brandl and Hubert Nettinger, the baritone Ludwig Thomas, the bass baritone Michael Mantaj, the bass Christian Schmidt and the baritone Berno Scharpf, who also serves as the ensemble´s pianist, owe their success to a number of factors. The first and most important factor is the ensemble´s trademark sound, with its unique, warmer vocalisation clearly distinguishing it from similar ensembles. Second, its virtually inexhaustable repertoire extending from Gregorian Chant to the Avantgarde, which, coupled with its continuing quest for new interpretations, never fails to facinate the German and international concert public and unleashes storms of applause. No other German vocal ensemble of its kind has enjoyed so much success in recent decades as the Singphoniker.

Discography

Singphonic Christmas

Adeste Fideles Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant Wilfried Hiller: Harfenklange 3 Weihnachtslieder Mary's Boychild Du Grenne Glitrende Tre O Sanctissima Nu Zijt Wellekome Quanno Nascete Nino Entre Le Boeuf Et L'ane Gris Canco De Nadal Interlude From Ceremony Of Carols Von Himmel Hoch Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agreable Romance De Virgen y el Ciego Still O Himmel Heilgste Nacht Kling No Klokka Kings Of Orient Venid Cantad Stille Nacht

This release from the remarkable male vocal group is a celebration of the intimate connection between music and Christmas throughout the world, regardless of different customs and languages. In this case the focus is on Europe, but the point is that no other celebration is so closely associated with such an abundant repertoire of songs, many of which are shared and often adapted to suit a particular culture or tradition. As usual, the six singers (plus a couple of "guests" on several tracks) perform first-rate arrangements (especially those by ensemble member Ludwig Thomas) of hymns and carols, including "Adeste fideles", "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen", "Quelle est cette odeur agréable", and "Stille Nacht". Along the way we hear other songs (many less-familiar) from Norway, Italy, England, the Netherlands, and Catalonia.

Listen to "Von Himmel Hoch" in Real Audio.

Singphonic Rossini

Giacchino Rossini (1792-1868): Preghiera Chant funebre La Notte di Santa Natale Toast pour le nouvel an (arr. A. Brandl) Choeur de chasseus democrates Overture - Il barbiere di Siviglia (arr. B. Taurus) Franz Schubert (1797-1828): La Pastorella Der Gondelfahrer Giacchino Rossini: I Gondolieri (arr. Ch. M. Schmidt) Overture - La gazza ladra (arr. Ch. M. Schmidt) L'invito (arr. Ch. M. Schmidt) La Danza (arr. G. Muhling) Un Sou (arr. A. Brandl) Overture - Guillaume Tell (arr. B. Taurus)

Focussing on little-known and rarely performed Romantic European vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the 6 men of Singphoniker bring us 12 difficult works by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868), and two by Franz Schubert, "La Pastorella" and "Der Gondelfahrer." Some favorites are "Chant funebre" (which includes some drums), "La Notte di Santo Natale," (with piano), "Choeur de chasseurs democrates," "L'invito," "La Danza," "Un Sou," and "Overture Guillaume Tell" (with piano). It's very clear, especially in this last cut, with the addition of silly sound effects, that the group is having big fun on stage and not taking themselves or the material too seriously. Good stuff!

7112 CD $15.98

Singphonic Mendlessohn

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) The Part Songs for Male Voices: Sechs Lieder fur vier Mannerstimmen op. 50 Zwei geistliche Chore fur Mannerstimmen op. 115 Erstaz fur Unbestand op. posth. View Lieder fur vierstimmigen Mannerchor op. 75 Nachtgesang op. posth. View Lieder fur vierstimmigen Mannerchor op. 120 Lieb und Hoffnung Jagerlied Lob der Trunkenheit Lob des Weines Worauf kommt es uberall an

Die Singphoniker, six talented German male singers, love to perform in concert and they love 19th century vocal chamber music, and audiences and judges clearly enjoy listening to them follow their hearts! Here we are treated to 23 such works by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847). All are delightful, but some particular favorites are "Turkisches Schenkenlied," "Sommerlied," "Liebe und Wein," "Wanderlied," "Trinklied," "Abschiedstafel,""Jagdgesang," "Lob der Trunkenheit," and "Worauf kommt es uberall an." Beautiful, rarely-performed material, sung with spirit and panache by one of the world's finest male sextets.

7111 CD $15.98

Singphonic Reger and Strauss

Vor den Turen Traumlicht Frohlich im Maien Hut du dich! Der Gutzgauch Liebe Tummel dich, gut's Weinlein Schwabische Erbschaft Lied der Freundschaft Der Brauttanz Max Reger: Liebchens Bote Ausfahrt Wie ist doch die Erde so schon Frohsinn Hell ins Fenster Lieblich hat sich gesellet Hochsommernacht Ein gantz neu Schelmweys Minnelied Abschied

The six German men who call themselves Die Singphoniker are virtuosos who specialize in very difficult pieces, from Gregorian chant to the Avantgarde, in this case bringing us some rarely-heard works of Romantic European music, partsongs by Richard Strauss and Max Reger. New interpreters of vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the group's success is measured in many awards and rave reviews: its last five CDs have received prizes. Included are 20 pieces, favorites are "Frohlich im Maien," "Hut du dich!," "Liebe op. 42,1," and Der Brauttanz op. 45,3" by Strauss; and "Liebchens Bote," Frohsinn op. 38,5," "Hochsommernacht op. 83,5" and "Minnelied op. 83,7" by Reger. Difficult, eclectic choral music, effortlessly and beautifully performed.

7038CD $15.98

Singphonic Serenade

Paper Doll Liebeslied im Garten Bon Jour Mon Coeur Standchen Til There Was You Derenade d'Hiver Peramata Serenade in blue Minnelied Tu Sai Madonna Mia You and Me Matona Mia Cara Es Fuhrt Kein and'rer Weg Zur Seeligkeit Standchen Andenken Zu irh! Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand Dankenshon

The German Die Singphoniker emerged from the Music Academy of Munich in 1980. These six educated fellows were enchanted by the Comedian Harmonists, who preceded them as one of Germany's most popular vocal harmony groups; Die Singphoniker sound much like them (and bear more than a passing resemblance to England's King's Singers, as well). The sextet's scholarship led them to the works of Schubert, Lasso, Mendelssohn and others, and has resulted in many recordings through the years. This particular CD takes as its theme the "serenade," a song performed to express love for another. From this departure point, songs as disparate as "Paper Dolls" and Saint-Saens' "Serenade d'Hiver" are devoted companions; whether a madrigal ("Bon Jour Mon Coeur, " Lasso), or a standard ("Serenade In Blue," Warren), every track is impeccable. Three of the songs are accompanied by piano.

6454 CD $15.98

Deutsche Volkslieder (German Folksongs)

VLore-Ley All' mein' Gedanken, die ich hab (Brahms Johannes) Trutze nicht (Max Reger) Ännchen von Tharau (Silcher Friedrich) Erlaube mir, fein's Mädchen (Brahms Johannes) Wach auf, mein's Herzens Schöne (Brahms Johannes) Sehnsucht (Reger Max) Altes Volkslied (Brahms ) Gut Nacht (Silcher Friedrich) Frisch gesungen (Silcher ) Das Lieben bringt groß Freud (Reger Max) Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund (Brahms Johannes) Burschenlust - Der Mai ist gekommen (Silcher Friedrich) Ich geh durch einen grasgrünen Wald (Reger Max) Süss Liebe liebt den Mai (Silcher Friedrich) Wohin mit der Freud (Silcher Friedrich) Abschiedslied (Brahms Johannes) Da unten im Tale (Brahms Johannes) Scheiden (Brahms Johannes) Ach Bäumchen, du stehst grüne (Reger Max) Abschied (Silcher Friedrich) Lebewohl Silcher Friedrich) Die drei Röslein (Silcher Friedrich) Der Lindenbaum (Silcher Friedrich) Die Sonne scheint nicht mehr (Brahms Johannes) Ich schwing mein Horn ins Jammertal (Brahms Johannes) Es steht ein Lind in jenem Tal (Brahms Johannes) Ich hab' die Nacht geträumet (Reger Max) Verlorenes Lieb' (Es steht ein Lind) Reger Max) Untreue (In einem kühlen Grunde) (Silcher Friedrich) Der Tod als Schnitter (Reger Max)

Their repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to contemporary music – all the way to easy listening. After 25 years in the limelight, the six-voice vocal ensemble can look back on over 1000 concerts throughout the world. For the first time, however, the Singphoniker are releasing a CD with German folksongs. Their program consists of works by Silcher, Brahms and Reger, each of whom had a completely different approach to handling old tunes. Their common goal, however, was a desire to reacquaint their contemporar-ies with the vast treasures in the folk repertoire. The Singphoniker’s CD will contribute to making known as well as unknown folksongs – which are not very at-home in the concert hall – resound again in the private environment: singing or humming along is expressly desired!

A Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel

The Sound Of Silence Scarborough Fair Part 1 Scarborough Fair Part 2 The Boxer Bridge Over Troubled Water Mrs. Robinson April Come She Will (What A) Wonderful World Bright Eyes El Condor Pasa Still Crazy Ceceila Crying In The Rain The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

Paul Simon is certainly one of America's finest contemporary songwriters and his songs with Art Garfunkel are pop classics. This recording is a wonderful choral setting of some of the best of these songs as performed by this top-notch vocal ensemble.

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