Konradin Kreutzer wrote his opera "Der Taucher" for the Stuttgart court theatre. Many years after the Stuttgart premiere in 1813, Kreutzer reworked the work for Vienna. Subsequently, this version was always performed. A recording of the original version is now available for the first time. Under the direction of Frieder Bernius, the Kammerchor and Hofkapelle Stuttgart perform this operatic rarity together with Sarah Wegener and Philipp Mathmann (both soprano). After 200 years, a composer whose trademarks are catchy, lyrical melodies and colorful instrumentation will be brought to life once again.

Anton Bruckner 200 (1824-2024)

A wide-ranging selection of Anton Bruckner's sacred works for choir and brass ensemble is presented by the NDR Choir Hamburg under the direction of Hans-Christoph Rademann.The pieces extend almost chronologically over 50 years, allowing the compositional development of this deeply religious composer to be traced.

Swiss Choral Music is a colourful treasure trove that allows us to discover the diversity of contemporary choral music in Switzerland. In addition to a wide stylistic range, Swiss Choral Music also reflects the linguistic richness of Switzerland. Rhaeto-Romanic, French, German, Italian - all of Switzerland's official languages are represented alongside English.

Hans-Christoph Rademann presents sacred vocal works from the pens of two of the most important Italian opera composers. The occasion and time of composition could not be more different. Puccini's so-called Messa di Gloria is an ambitious, large-scale youthful work that was composed for the annual festival of the patron saint of his home town of Lucca. The Quattro pezzi sacri, on the other hand, are Verdi's mature works, composed over a period of ten years and not originally intended for publication by the composer.

The Christmas season can come. With this musical Advent calendar from the Landesmusikakademie Ochsenhausen, there is a new surprise every day. Each day of Advent has its own song to shorten the waiting time for children and families. Old and new Christmas carols in enchanting arrangements, sometimes contemplative, sometimes rousing and as if for dancing along, prepare us for a joyful pre-Christmas season. With the children's choir SingsalaSing, the Ulmer Spatzenchor and many more.

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy composed a total of 38 songs for male voices a cappella between 1820 and 1847. He wrote many of them for his own use among family or friends. He also liked to use these secular choruses as gifts or personal thanksgiving. Now the male voices of the SWR Vokalensemble under the direction of Frieder Bernius have presented a recording of these songs. The result is an impressive testimony to these compositions, which are among the least explored parts of Mendelssohn's oeuvre.

This 14-album box contains all the recordings of the complete sacred vocal music of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy with the Kammerchor Stuttgart under the direction of Frieder Bernius. The complete recording on the CARUS label, which took more than two decades to complete, was highly praised by the press and won many awards. Now Bernius' masterful interpretations, which unfold Mendelssohn's sense of cantabile melody and differentiated harmony in a high sound culture and colorful, transparent diction, are available in a complete set.

Frieder Bernius and the Kammerchor Stuttgart have taken on one of the most exciting pieces of Passion music in music history: "The Seven Last Words of Our Savior on the Cross." The new recording with Anna-Lena Elbert, Sophie Harmsen, Florian Sievers, Sebastian Noack and the Kammerchor Stuttgart under the direction of Frieder Bernius achieves an emotionality that can hardly be surpassed. (Carus)

In German-speaking countries, carolers go from door to door every year between Christmas and Epiphany. They collect donations for children in need and, with their songs, carry the blessing of God into every house. Children and young people from choirs belonging to the German Pueri Cantores Choir Association have sung a total of 25 carols for this album, including established classics such as “Stern über Bethlehem”, but also surprises such as the “Sternsinger-Rap”. This release heightens the joyful anticipation of carol singing, making it easier to learn the new songs as well as motivating people to sing.

The audience of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival experienced a great musical event when the Kammerchor Stuttgart, conducted by its founder Frieder Bernius, performed Luigi Cherubini's Messe Solennelle No. 2 in D minor. The soloists of the evening were Ruth Ziesak, soprano, Christa Mayer, contralto, Christoph Genz, tenor, and Thomas E. Bauer, bass. The recording of this truly extraordinary work is now available on album. After a beginning which seems familiar, unforeseen, imaginative and witty turns lead melodic progressions and harmonic developments into entirely new directions. The harmonic variety is impressive, and chromaticism plays no less important a role. Subtle instrumentation lends many sections an exquisite sonority. And last but not least, the deeply felt interpretation of the text by means of melodic, rhythmic or harmonic figures, as well as by dynamics and tempo is one of the outstanding features of the work, highlighting the performers' brilliance.

On the occasion of the 400th birthday of Johann Rosenmüller, the soloist ensemble Gli Scarlattisti under the direction of Jochen Arnold presents a selection from the collection of the so-called "Kernsprüche". These Sacred Concertos, most of which are unknown today, are characterized by a particularly charming versatility in the interplay of the various vocal and instrumental parts. At their time, they were considered to be similarly stylistically influential as the Kleine Geistliche Konzerte by Schütz. The musicians deserve praise for snatching this collection from oblivion with numerous first recordings.

REVIEW:

In its exciting discography, the Ensemble Gli Scarlattisti – selected vocalists in a homogeneous chamber choir – has already dedicated itself exclusively to the œuvre of Johann Rosenmüller. Now conductor Jochen Arnold presents another CD with works by this composer, Kernsprüche – polyphonic German Bible verse settings with instrumental accompaniment. Together with the Capella Principale, the music is played in a highly elegant manner. The selection of works in various solo and tutti formations documents Rosenmüller's multi-faceted art of composition in an exemplary manner, with all voices responding to the strong text orientation of the music. Eight of the 15 pieces are first recordings. The context of the works composed at the end of the Thirty Years' War vividly documents Rosenmüller's idea of a « world with musical proportions », which also corresponds to the balanced audibility. Rosenmüller was the link between Germany and Italy, Schütz and Bach, early and late baroque. You can read about this in the informative booklet as well as about the fact that the composer, who later made his career in Venice, was accused of the sexual abuse of choirboys when he was an assistant teacher at the Thomasschule in Leipzig in 1655. The essay, written by the conductor Jochen Arnold, explains the theological conception of this recording in a plausible way, in which the performance of the interpreters is reflected with perfect intonation, diction, vitality and accentuation.

— Pizzicato

The Calmus Ensemble is on a musical journey of discovery: With “Folk Songs,” the Leipzig vocal quintet invites you on a journey around the world. From Ireland and England to Scandinavia, Russia, Taiwan and all the way to Ecuador! And all this with only five singers? Yes, indeed! Folk songs from five continents can be heard on the album, the spectrum ranging from traditional, simple settings to highly virtuosic new arrangements made especially for Calmus. This recording is part of the prize-winning "LIEDERPROJEKT". A perfect blend of sound, precision, lightness and wit. These are the hallmarks of Calmus, now one of the most successful vocal groups in Germany. The ensemble has forged a refined sound which few groups achieve. The wide range of sound colors, the joy in performing that musicians convey on the concert platform, and their varied and imaginative programs are praised by the press time and time again. These five Leipzig musicians have won a whole string of international prizes and competitions, including the ECHO Klassik and Supersonic Award, and the reach of their activities is constantly expanding, taking them throughout Europe as well as to North and South America. In 2010 the quintet made its debut at Carnegie Hall, New York.