The Dresden Boys Choir
In the year 1234 the Austrian wife of Henry the Illustrious brought with her to Dresden a piece of the true cross as a gift, which was for the period immediately following kept in the Church of St. Nicholas. As an addition to this church, the oldest within the city walls, the "capella sanctae crucis" (chapel of the holy cross) was built, the first record of which dates from 1319, when it was mentioned as a place of pilgrimage. This chapel lent its name later in 1388 to the entire church "zum heiligen Kreuz." For some considerable time, ministers and choirboys performed the liturgy, and for the boys' instruction in Latin and music a boarding school was founded, first mentioned in 1300.
In the 17th century the choir's cantors made good use of their close contacts to musicians of the Saxon court. Later, Crucians were used in performances in the court opera house. Beyond that, until the end of the 19th century the Kreuzchor took part in services in both the Sophienkirche (Church of St. Sophia) and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). The most dreadful interruption for both city and choir were the air raids on 13th and 14th February 1945, to which both the Kreuzkirche and its academy, the Kreuzschule, fell victim. 11 Crucians lost their lives in the attacks. The first postwar vespers took place in the burnt out Kreuzkirche on 4th August 1945. Still, the choir couldn't take possession of its home again until some ten years later.
Only a very few choirs have multi-faceted repertoires even approaching that of the Kreuzchor. Highest priority is, of course, the preservation of both sacred and secular a-capella music. Names such as that of Jacobus Gallus, Michael Praetorius, Giovanni Gabrieli, Johann Hermann Schein and Hans Leo Hassler represent the old masters whose works the Kreuzchor performs regularly. The music of Heinrich Schuetz, once Director of Music in Dresden at the Court of the Prince Elector of Saxony, has held a special place in the program for decades. In similar fashion the motettes of Johann Sebastian Bach are prominent, and part of many concerts as well are the motettes of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner and Max Reger.
Since time immemorial one of the highest callings of the Kreuzchor's cantors has been, during their time in service, to enrich the repertoire of the choir with their own compositions. Thus, by extension the music of the 20th century has come to represent a further point of emphasis. With vocal works from Guenter Raphael, Hugo Distler, Francis Poulenc, Benjamin Britten, and Krzysztof Penderecki in numerous premier performances, the Dresdner Kreuzchor repeatedly wins the attention and praise of music critics.
Today approximately 150 Crucians between the ages of 9 and 19 belong to the Dresdner Kreuzchor. The choir performs primarily as a mixed mens' and boys' choir, the composition and number being determined by the works to be performed. The number traveling to guest appearances is about 80
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Sacred Songs (8) for Chorus, Op. 138: Locus iste in C major Ave Maria for Chorus Wie liegt die Stadt so wüst Psalm 130 Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille Erquicke mich mit deinem Licht Motets (2), Op. 74: no 1, Warum ist das Licht gegeben Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen über dir O vos omnes Herr Christ, der einig Gottes sohn |
With a tradition going back to the 13th century this highly regarded boyschoir, with its full compliment of 120 voices is ideally suited to large scale compositions. The accoustics of the Kreuzirche contribute to a romantic sound even when the emphasis is on transparency, subtly shading of expression and clarity of articulation. Apart from sacred composistions by Johannes Bach, Asnton Buckner and Max Reger, all masterpieces of romantic choral music, this program also includes some lesser-known composers. Among them are Heinrich Kaminski, director of the Berlin Choir, whose works were banned by the Nazis.
| 7819 CD $15.98 |
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Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen Die wilden Schwäne Feinsliebchen Tritt zu! (Wenn alle Brünnlein fließen) Ach Elslein, liebes Elselein Es waren zwei Königskinder Ich hört ein Sichelein rauschen Brüderlein fein Es führt über den Main Glück auf, Glück auf! Aus grauer Städte Mauern An der Saale hellem Strande Das Ringlein (Bald gras ich am Neckar) Lieb Heimatland, adé Es geht ein dunkle Wolk Nr. 3: Es fiel ein Reif in der Frühlingsnacht Im Mai op. 47 Nr. 1 Frühlingsgruß Nr. 2: Die Primel Im schönsten Wiesengrunde Entlaubet ist der Walde Sandmännchen (Die Blümelein, sie schlafen) Verstohlen geht der Mond auf Der Mond ist aufgegangen |
The songs on this recording rangs from simple numbers like " Glück auf!" (the miners call of good luck) and " Der Mond ist aufgegangen" (the moon has risen) to variant forms with astringent harmonies, like Max Reger's " Bald gras ich am Neckar". The artful polyphony of " Es geht ein dunkle Wolk" in the setting by Hugo Distler and in Ludwig Senff's "Entlaubet ist der Walde" also shows how fruitfully composers of various periods have engaged themselves with folk songs. Beautifully sung, well recorded, all a cappella.
| 7821 CD $15.98 |
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O Heiland Reif Die Himmel Auf Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland Es Kommt Ein Schiff Geladen Tauben Weif Ave MAria Ubers Gebrig Maria Geht Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging Tochter Zion Freu Dich Warum toben Die Heiden Maria Auf Dem Berge Joseph Lieber Joseph Schlaf Mein Kindelein Laft Uns Lauschen Ihr Kinderlein Kommet Angelus Ad Pastores Ait In Dulci Jubilo Es Ist Ein Ros Entprungen Leise Riesel Der Schnee Lieb Nachtigall Wach Auf Frohlich Soll Mein Herze Springen Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht |
The top-notch children's choir sings traditional Christmas carols including works by Brahms, Max Reger, Anton Bruckner, Handel and Mendelssohn.
| 8412 CD $9.95 |
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