Netherlands Chamber Choir

The Nederlands Kamerkoor (Netherlands Chamber Choir), founded by Felix de Nobel in 1937, is a full-time and independent professional vocal ensemble which concentrates on a cappella repertoire from the early Middle Ages until the present day.

In recent seasons the Nederlands Kamerkoor has commissioned works from various leading composers, and the world premières of these compositions – by Sir John Tavener, James MacMillan, Edith Canat de Chizy, Gija Kancheli, Hans Kox, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Gerard Beljon, Mauricio Kagel and Jan Vriend – have been received enthusiastically by the press. The Nederlands Kamerkoor also put on a successful programme of songs by Burt Bacharach, arranged for the Nederlands Kamerkoor and instrumental combo by Bob Zimmerman. On the books for the near future are commissions for works by Peter-Jan Wagemans, Karin Rehnqvist, Elmer Schönberger and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.

The Nederlands Kamerkoor works with conductors specialized in different periods of music. In 2005 Peter Dijkstra was named Principal Guest Conductor and the Flemish early music specialist Paul Van Nevel Honorary Guest Conductor. That same year saw the appointment of Klaas Stok as Choirmaster. The Nederlands Kamerkoor also works regularly with conductors Marcus Creed, Ed Spanjaard, Reinbert de Leeuw and Roland Hayrabedian.

Every year the Nederlands Kamerkoor presents its own series of concert programmes in Holland, and in addition performs both there and abroad with orchestras and ensembles such as the Schönberg Ensemble, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Orchestra of the 18th Century. The Choir is a welcome guest abroad, and has toured (repeatedly) in the U.S., Japan, Israel, and in many countries of Europe.

As well as collaborating regularly with well-known ensembles such as the Orchestra of the 18th Century under Frans Brüggen and the Schönberg Ensemble under Reinbert de Leeuw, the Nederlands Kamerkoor has for many years now programmed its own subscription series, with largely a cappella music. Especially popular with audiences are the programmes conducted by Honorary Guest Conductor Paul Van Nevel, who has over the last 20 years done so much to help the Choir regain its reputation in early music performance. The tradition of building up contacts with composers has also been given a new lease of life: such great names as Kagel, Kancheli,Tavener and MacMillan have all written pieces specially for the Choir.

The Nederlands Kamerkoor continues to bring onto the market a constant stream of CDs with fascinating music, (well over 60 to date), many of which have been awarded prizes both national and international. The Nederlands Kamerkoor has a faithful following which some 20 years ago formed itself into an active association of friends, Cantus Nobilitas, which provides the Choir with both moral and practical support.

Discography

Bach - Motets

Komm, Jesu, Komm BWV 229(1730) Der Geist Hilft Unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226 (1729) Lobet Den Herrn, Alle Heiden BWV 230 Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Jesu, Mein Freude Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Unter Deinem Schirmen Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Trotz Dem Alten Drachen Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Weg Mit Allen Schatzen Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Gute Nacht Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Weicht, Ihr Trauer Geister Furchte Dich Nicht BWV 228 (1726) Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Wie Sich ein Vater Erbarmet Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Lobet Den Hern

For the conductor Peter Dijkstra, “these works are among Bach’s greatest compositions for vocal ensemble. The rhetorical power of Komm, Jesu, komm, the thrilling double-choir passages in Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, the musical signature B-A-C-H at the end of Fürchte dich nicht, every one of these demonstrates Bach’s mastery and his ability to bring a text to vivid life.” This analysis of the relationship between text and music is of great importance to Dijkstra, who leads The Netherlands Chamber Choir in thrilling new performances of the six Motets

Sweelinck - Choral Works

Psalm 150 Psalm 33 Hodie Christus Natus Est Te Deum Laudamus Psalm 148 Ab Oriente Oraison Dominicale De Profundis Psalm 98 Gaude Et Laetare Ecce Prandium

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck a famous organist and teacher and one of the great Renaissance composers from the Netherlands achieved international acclaim. Though he rarely left his home, his reputation spread throughout Europe and attracted many students some of whom later founded the north German style. Though he was an organist, the majority of his output was vocal. The Netherlands Chamber Choir gives a small sampling of his work. The CD includes five pieces from his collection of psalm settings and other Latin motets as well as a setting of the Lord's Prayer in French. Though he was Dutch, Sweelinck never set texts in his native language. In addition to fantastic singing, this CD features three of the great conductors of Early Music: Ton Koopman founder of The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, William Christie founder of Les Arts Florissants and Peter Phillips founder of the Tallis Scholars. All involved give great performances of great music.

7187 CD $15.98

Rudolf Escher - Choral Works

Songs of Love and Eternity (1955) (Text: Emily Dickinson 1830-1886) - These are the days when birds come back - Wild nights! - Heart, we will forget him! - The wind tapped like a tired man - To make a prairie it take s clover From: Poems, first and second series (Text: Emily Dickinson) - I taste a liquor never brewed (1955) From: Le vrai visage de la paix par Picasso et Eluard (Text: Paul Eluard 1895-1952) - Le vrai visage de la paix (1953, rev. 1957) Ciel air et vents (1957) (Text: Pierre de Ronsard 1524-1588) - Ode - Chanson - Sonnet Three poems by W.H. Auden (1975) (Text: William H. Auden 1907-1973) - If I could tell you - A curse - Warm are the sill and lucky miles

Rudolf Escher was a teacher and writer of music, a painter and poet as well as a composer. As a result he was very aware of the connection between text and music, which also came from his love of Renaissance choral music. His writing style was such that it defied classification with his use of polymelody, antimetric rhythm and chromatic harmonies. The pieces presented on this CD are the complete a cappella choral works by Escher. In the set "Songs of Love and Eternity" with poems by Emily Dickinson, Escher brings out the very dramatic images of nature in the text. Escher's music is considered extremely difficult. The first performance of "Songs of LoveŠ" was postponed twelve years after its completion. Under the direction of Ed Spanjaard, the Netherlands Chamber Choir makes it seem and sound easy. Much of the revered music from the Netherlands comes from the Renaissance period. Escher should, as well, be put on this list.

7188 CD $15.98

Vox Neerlandica 1

Gloria (Johannes Ciconia) Guillaume Dufay: - Ave regina - Alma redemptoris Josquin des Prez: - Tu solus qui facis mirabilia - La deploration de Johan Okeghem Salve Regina (Jacob Obrecht) O salutaris hostia (Pierre de la Rue) Pater Noster (Adriaan Willaert) Carole magnus eras (Jacobus Clemens non Papa) Datemi pace (Cipriano de Rore) Musiciens qui chantez (Hubert Waelrant) Suscipiant, Domine (Jacobus de Kerle) Orlandus Lassus: - Jubilate Deo - Io ti voria - Tristis est anima mea Voi bramate, ben mio (Cornelis Schuyt) Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: - Pseaume 90 - Laudate Dominum

The Renaissance period was a prolific time in the Netherlands. The area produced such composers as Giullaume Dufay, Jacob Obrecht and Orlandus Lassus to name a few. Works by these greats and more appear on Vox Neerlandica I. Spanning a 200 year period the pieces are in chronological order which allows the listener to hear the development of the styles coming from this very influential region. Directed by Paul van Nevel, the Netherlands Chamber Choir is as magnificent as ever.

7199 CD $15.98

Vox Neerlandica 2

De nevel dekt ons (Johannes Verhulst) Rei van Edelingen (Julius Rontgen)Z Alphons Diepenbrock: - Auf dem See - Chanson d'automne Hymnus de ascensione Domini Salve Regina (Anton Wagenaar) Qui habitat (Hendrik Andriessen) Wanerers Nachtlied (Alexander Voormolen) Wiegelied (Jan Nieland) Henk Badings: - Canamus, amici, canamus - Finnigan's wake Les compagnons de la Marjolaine Nu sijt willekome (Louis Toebosch) Pater noster (Albert de Klerk) Hemelsch Vader (Jaap Geraedts) Sonnet No. 43 (Jurriaan Andriessen) Priere (Ton de Leeuw) Als de ziele luistert (Joop Voorn) Psaume 121 (Daan Manneke)

On Vox Neerlandica II, the Netherlands Chamber Choir, led by Uwe Gronostay, explores Dutch music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These pieces come from a collection of the same name which has preserved choral music coming from the Netherlands. Though often overshadowed, the Netherlands has produced some fine music. The a cappella pieces on this recording are no exception. They are wonderfully sung by a first-rate choir who has no musical limitations.

7201 CD $15.98

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op 59. Aus Sechs Lieder Op. 88 Vier Lieder Op.100 Sechs Lieder Im Freien Zu Singen Op. 41 Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op. 48

The complete Part-Songs for a cappella mixed chorus.

French Choral Music

Trois Chansons De Charles D'Orleans - Debussy Trois Chansons - Ravel Epithalame - Jolivet Trois Poemes De Paul Valery - Francaix O Sacrum Convivium - Messiaen Asmara - Florentz

Ed Spanjaard directs this world-class choir as they sing the works of the great French choral composers Debussy, Ravel, Jolivet, Francaix, Messiaen and Florentz. Magnifique!

Darius Milhaud Choral Works

Cantique Du Rhone Les Duex Cites Devant Sa Main Nue Naissance De Venus Trois Psaumes De David Promesse De Dieu

The acclaimed Stephen Layton guest directs the choir on the works of Darius Milhaud (1892 - 1974)

Andrea Gabrieli - Psalms of David

Domine Ne In Furore Tuo Arguas Me Beati Quorum Remissae Sunt Iniquitates Domine Ne In furore uo Arguae Me Miserere Mei Deus Domine Exaudi Ora Tionem Meam De Profundis Clamai Ad Te Domine Domine Exaudi Orationem Meam

Paul van Nevel directs the choir on the works of Andrea Gabrieli (1532/3-1586).

Mirabile Mysterium

Jacobus Gallus - Mirabile mysterium Sebastian Alfonso - Unidos tres reyes Anonymous - Vincti presepio / Stelle presagio Geronimo Luca - Este Nino que es sol del aurora Peter Cornelius - Drei Kon'ge wandern aus Morgenland Anonymous - Senores el qu'es nascido Giaches de Wert - Vox in Rama Anonymous - Hodie puer nascitur Jacobus Clemens non Papa - Ab Oriente Harold Darke - In the bleak mid-winter Francisco Losada - A Penas nace este Nino Bertram Luard-Selby - A Voice from Ramah Anonymous - Balaam de quo vaticinans Anonymous - Quae stella sole pulchrior

Specialist in medieval and Renaissance polyphony Paul Von Nevel guest conducts the Nederlands Kamerkoor in 14 classical sacred works of Christmas music, ranging from Jacobus Gallus' 16th century title tune and Geronimo Luca's 17th century "Este Nino que es sol del aurora" to Bertram Luard-Selby's 19th century "A Voice from Ramah" and Harold Darke's 20th Century "In The Bleak Mid-Winter." Some accompaniment from period recorder, renaissance violin, viola da gamba, shawm and dulciam. Just beautiful!

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