Berlin Radio Chorus

Berlin Radio Chorus is a renowned German choir based in Berlin, known for its rich and diverse repertoire, which includes works by famous composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The chorus has collaborated with numerous prominent orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Vienna Philharmonic. With its exceptional sound and technique, the Berlin Radio Chorus has performed under the baton of distinguished conductors like Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, and Claudio Abbado. The chorus has also worked with notable choirs, such as the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and the BBC Singers.

● History

The Berlin Radio Chorus was founded in 1925 as the choir of the Berlin Radio Broadcasting Corporation, with the goal of promoting choral music and providing a platform for talented singers. Over the years, the chorus has undergone significant transformations, with various conductors and music directors contributing to its development, including Otto Klemperer, Hermann Abendroth, and Helmut Koch. The chorus has performed at numerous prestigious festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival, Bayreuth Festival, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has collaborated with famous soloists like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Christa Ludwig. The Berlin Radio Chorus has also been involved in several notable recordings, including projects with Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, and Sony Classical, and has worked with other renowned ensembles, such as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

● Organization

The Berlin Radio Chorus is a professional choir consisting of approximately 60 singers, who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The chorus is led by a music director, who is responsible for shaping the ensemble's artistic vision and repertoire. The current music director is Gijs Leenaars, who has worked with the chorus since 2017 and has led performances with orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Gewandhausorchester. The chorus is managed by the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), a public broadcaster that supports the ensemble's activities and provides resources for its operations. The Berlin Radio Chorus has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and the University of the Arts Berlin, and has performed at various venues, including the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Philharmonie Berlin.

● Repertoire

The Berlin Radio Chorus has a diverse repertoire that spans from Baroque music to contemporary works, including pieces by composers like George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Igor Stravinsky. The chorus has a strong focus on German music, with a particular emphasis on the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. The ensemble has also performed numerous premieres of new compositions, including works by Arvo Pärt, John Adams, and Thomas Adès. The Berlin Radio Chorus has collaborated with other ensembles, such as the Hilliard Ensemble and the Tallis Scholars, and has performed at festivals like the Lucerne Festival and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. The chorus has also worked with notable composers, such as Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen, and has been involved in various educational projects, including collaborations with the Berlin University of the Arts and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München.

● Performances

The Berlin Radio Chorus performs regularly at various venues in Berlin and beyond, including the Philharmonie Berlin, Konzerthaus Berlin, and Deutsche Oper Berlin. The ensemble has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and has performed at numerous festivals, such as the BBC Proms and the Tanglewood Festival. The Berlin Radio Chorus has collaborated with many prominent conductors, including Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, and Riccardo Muti, and has worked with famous orchestras, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The chorus has also performed with other notable ensembles, such as the London Sinfonietta and the Ensemble InterContemporain, and has been involved in various recording projects, including collaborations with Warner Classics and Harmonia Mundi. The Berlin Radio Chorus has also collaborated with institutions like the Bavarian State Opera and the Staatskapelle Berlin, and has performed at venues like the Semperoper and the Theater an der Wien. Category:German choirs