In yet another memorable musical event under the banner of Germany and India: 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities, presented in collaboration with Christ University, the 40-member Gewandhaus Choir from Leipzig, Germany, conducted by Gregor Meyer, will present not just an eclectic selection of compositions from greats in the western classical galaxy, but also a tribute to Tagore in the 150th anniversary year of his birth, composed by Bernd Franke, who will be present at the concert.
This event is also a part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the Bangalore School of Music.
During its 150 years of existence, Gewandhaus Choir, Leipzig has worked with many famous composers.
Since the years 2007-2008, Gregor Meyer has been the Artistic Director of this semiprofessional ensemble with its 50 ambitious singers.
The choir’s repertoire is versatile and flaunts a flexibility of voice including acappella music of different eras and great choral symphonies as well as gospel, soul, pop and jazz.
Highlights of the past seasons were the collaboration with star trombonist Nils Landgren and an exceptional ‘Bach-Night’ to celebrate the composer’s 325th birthday.
In March 2012, the Gewandhaus Choir will come to India and present arrangements of German folk songs from the romantic and late romantic era (eg: Brahms, Mendelssohn- Bartholdy).
Apart from secular as well as religious music the Gewandhaus Choir will present the world premiere of PRAN, a musical adaptation by German composer Bernd Franke of Tagore’s poems.The Gewandhaus Choir looks back on a 150-year-old tradition, one that is closely connected with the Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Famous conductors have worked with the core orchestra, including Gewandhaus Bandmaster Carl Reinecke, Arthur Nikisch, Franz Konwitschny, Hermann Abendroth, Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt and Riccardo Chailly as well as Karl Straube, Günter Ramin, Kurt Thomas and Erhard Mauersberger.
Gregor Meyer has been Artistic Director of the semiprofessional ensemble since the season of 2007 to 2008, and rehearses with about 50 talented singers twice a week.
The Gewandhaus Choir performs regularly with other choirs and instrumental ensembles, both at home and abroad, as well as in numerous Festivals.
The choir displays a wide and diverse repertoire that includes a capella music from different epochs, symphonic pieces, cross-over projects but also gospel, jazz, pop and soul.
Various CD, DVD, TV and Radio productions together with the Gewandhaus Orchestra round off the scope of activities.
In the autumn of 2011, the Choir brought out a CD featuring the sacred music of Franz Liszt to commemorate the 150th Jubilee of the Choir and the 200th Birth Anniversary of Liszt, under the label ‘Querstand’.
In Bangalore, the choir will render compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, Cesar Franck, Franz Liszt, Robert Schumann, Peter Cornelius, Paul Hindemith and others.
Entry is free.
Invitations can be collected from the Bhavan or Christ University after March 6.