Arnold Kempkens

Arnold Kempkens (born December 4, 1923 in Duisburg ; † January 10, 2001 in Mülheim an der Ruhr ) was a German composer and conductor .

Life

Arnold Kempkens studied at the Cologne University of Music . After the war he was Kapellmeister at the Braunschweig city ​​theater from 1945 to 1949 . Since 1951 he worked as a choir director in the German Singers Association. In 1959 he completed his studies in conducting and composition in Cologne . From 1960 to 1980 Arnold Kempkens worked as a lecturer at the State University for Music Rhineland in Düsseldorf. He also directed the university choir there . In 1988 he was elected to the GEMA evaluation committee. During his career he has undertaken numerous concert tours with his choirs abroad (e.g. England , Finland , Canada , Austria , South Africa , USA , Philippines ).

Awards

Arnold Kempkens received numerous awards for his work:

• 1960: 1st prize in the composition competition "Premio International Musica Oscar Espla" in Alicante for his symphony
• 1976: Awarded the silver pin of the German Choir Association on the occasion of his 25-year career as a choir director
• 1978: Award of the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon
• 1990: Awarded the golden needle of the German Singers' Association on the occasion of his 40 years as a choir director

Works

Arnold Kempkens composed and arranged, among other things, two ballets, a symphony, eleven orchestral works, a German mass and over 50 vocal compositions including many choral movements.

selection

• Crucifixus resurrexit
• This is the night (better known at Christmas time as "In Heil'ger Nacht")
• Allow me, fine girl
• Jacobs Ladder
• Marina
• Mala moja
• Morning prayer
• Sanctuary
• Our father
• To the night
• The minstrel

Web links

• Works by and about Arnold Kempkens in the catalog of the German National Library
• Portrait and obituary for Arnold Kempkens
• Arnold Kempkens