Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir

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Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir
Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir - concert tour Australia
Seat: Freiburg im Breisgau / Germany
Carrier: Archdiocese of Freiburg
Founding: 13th century
(re-established 1970 )
Genus: Boys' choir with male voices
Founder: Raimund Hug (start-up)
Head : Boris Böhmann , cathedral music director
Voices : approx. 70 ( SATB )
Website : www.freiburger-dommusik.de

The Freiburger Domsingknaben are a boys and men ensemble of cathedral music at the Freiburg Minster . The choir, under the direction of Domkapellmeister Boris Böhmann, is one of the best-known boys' choirs in Germany with around 70 singers (chamber choir). Its tradition can be traced back over eight centuries.

historical overview

There is evidence that there was a Latin school in Freiburg as early as the 13th century, one of the most important tasks of which was to train young singers for minster music. Polyphonic chants for the Minster Boys' Choir have also been documented in writing since the 16th century.

Up until the 20th century, boys sang together with the Freiburg Cathedral Chapel at early mass and Vespers as well as on Sundays and public holidays. After the dissolution in the time of National Socialism , the then cathedral music director, Prelate Raimund Hug, re-established the cathedral choir in 1970. Since then, the main task of the boys' choir has been the musical organization of services on Sundays and public holidays in the Freiburg Cathedral. In addition, the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir also perform sacred and secular concerts and sang under well-known conductors, such as B. Lorin Maazel, Michael Gielen,, Philippe Herreweghe, Ingo Metzmacher, Roland Bader and Moshe Atzmon.

The choir received various awards and prizes for its musical work. Concert tours led the Domsingknaben through Germany and Europe, as well as u. a. to Hungary, Romania, Canada, Japan, South America, South Africa and Australia. In 2003, cathedral music director Boris Böhmann took over the management of the Freiburg Cathedral Music. The choir has made various CD recordings of a cappella music and oratorio works and has appeared in numerous radio and television productions. On 24./25. September 2011 the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir and the entire choir of the Palais sang for Pope Benedict XVI .

education

The training and the promotion of young talent takes place in the Archbishop's Palace , the former residence of the bishop, which was extensively renovated in 1995/1996 and since then has housed a musical educational institution - the Freiburg Cathedral Singing School. Here children from three years of age can playfully come into contact with classical music. Since 2006, a course has also been offered for parents with children under three years of age. About 160 boys and men are currently participating in the choirs of the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir.

Freiburger Domsingknaben - Archbishop's Palace, Freiburg

Before a boy is accepted into the chamber choir of the Domsingknaben when he is around ten years old , he undergoes extensive musical training, which consists of individual voice training and music theory lessons as well as singing in various choir levels (early education, pre-choir, advanced choir, chamber choir). After passing the theoretical and practical entrance exam by the cathedral music director , a singer can take part in the musical activities of the chamber choir. In a solemn ceremony at the beginning of the choir year, the new cathedral choir boys are presented to the cathedral chapter and the public, and for the first time they receive a cross for their gowns . After this service, they will also receive a small choir cross for their concert sweater (if there are performances before the ceremony in which the new boys are already participating, they will not wear a cross).

The male voices are made up of experienced former choirboys who are also looked after by a voice trainer during and after the voice break. Male alto voices sing the alto part based on the English and Mediterranean models. Many professional vocal soloists, instrumentalists and church musicians began their musical careers with the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir. In addition to the choir and music theory training as well as voice training, the children and young people can also receive lessons on various instruments. The training to become a C church musician is also connected . Day care (lunch, homework and free time) rounds off the offer of the Freiburg Cathedral Singing School.

There has been a long-established cooperation with the St. Sebastian College in the Freiburg suburb of Stegen in the Dreisamtal. At this music grammar school, which is ecclesiastically sponsored by the school foundation, the directors of the Freiburg Cathedral Music sometimes teach in the 5th grade.

Due to this diversity, the Freiburg Cathedral Singing School with over 600 members is a leading training center for choral and church music in Germany and has a central position in promoting musically gifted children and young people as well as early musical education.

Discography

  • HW Henze: The Raft of Medusa (2017)
  • JS Bach: Mass in B minor (2016)
  • JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion (2016)
  • G. Fauré: Requiem (2015)
  • Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir LIVE in church service and concert (2015)
  • Pope Benedict XVI in Freiburg - Angelus prayer in the Freiburg Cathedral & Papal Mass (DVD, 2011)
  • JS Bach: Sing to the Lord a new song BWV 225 (2011)
  • JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio (2010)
  • JS Bach: St. John Passion (2010)
  • JS Bach: Jesus, my joy (2010)
  • WA Mozart: Requiem (2006)
  • GF Handel: Dixit Dominus (2005)
  • J. Haydn: Stabat Mater (2004)
  • WA Mozart: Requiem (2003)
  • Solemn festivals in the church year - choir and organ works (2003)
  • Baroque Christmas Concert from the Cathedral in Freiburg (DVD, 2002)
  • Festive music from southwest German Benedictine monasteries (2002)
  • Sax'n Dom - Children's Songs (2002)
  • JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion (2001)
  • JG Rheinberger: The Star of Bethlehem (2001)
  • Ave Maria - Mariengesänge (2000)
  • G. Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (1997)
  • Rejoice Queen of Heaven (1997)
  • Where to Sing - The Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir sing folk melodies (1996)
  • Born Is Jesus the Savior of the World (1994)
  • Jubilate Deo - Festive motets for the church year (1994)
  • We were given a little child - Christmas with the Freiburg Cathedral Boys' Choir (1994)
  • Masses by M. Haydn and JG Albrechtsberger (1991)

Awards and honors

Web links