Der Thomaner chor Thomanerchor LeIPZIG Der Thomaner chor n ts on te able o f c T

Ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s

Greeting from “Thomaskantor” Biller (Cantor of the St Thomas Boys Choir) ...... 04 The “Thomanerchor Leipzig” St Thomas Boys Choir Now Performing: The Thomanerchor Leipzig ...... 06 Musical Presence in Historical Places ...... 07 The Thomaner: Choir and School, a Tradition of Unity for 800 Years ...... 08 The Alumnat – a World of Its Own ...... 09 “Keyboard Polisher”, or Responsibility in Detail ...... 10 “Once a Thomaner, always a Thomaner” ...... 11 Soli Deo Gloria ...... 12 Everyday Life in the Choir: Singing Is “Only” a Part ...... 13 A Brief History of the St Thomas Boys Choir ...... 14 Leisure Time Always on the Move ...... 16 ... By the Way ...... 17 Management on Every Level ...... 18 Scouting Talent ...... 19 Visions Come True – 800 Years of Thomana – Foundation for the Future ...... 20 Cooperation – “Singing Every Day. Awesome!” ...... 21 Encounters – Living Tradition ...... 22 En Route – Musical Emissaries ...... 23 Contact ...... 25 Imprint ...... 26

3 4 GREETInG rum thomanum, the campus project designed to expand the complex “audacity” too… remainsfact measuremysterious the requiresmusic that of certain a boys the for Yet,many. so moves that performance a of part be to conviction that exerting oneself and enduring sacrifi ces is worthwhile the nourishes music great of milieu the in Growingwell.up as life, of as thechoirwithwhichhepremiered mostofhisgreat works. Bach, on attention its focuses world music the whenever mentioned is it fail, without almost For,Choir. Boys Thomas St the with ciated asso- closely most is that Bach Sebastian Johann of memory the is it overtones evoked by their navy-blue sailor suits. Ultimately, however, secular other,the the on – hand one the on God, of praise in raised voices radiantboys’ young the associations: different vastly once at (Cantor of theSt Thomas Boys Choir) “Thomaskantor” FRoM Biller GREETInG We are thrilled to see the visible progress being made on the fo- But the suggests term something “Thomaner” like a philosophy evoking fascination, inspires “Thomaner” name the many, For learn more aboutthefascinatingstoryofLeipzig’s “Thomaner”. ment ofnewyoung talent. members of the choir a better quality of life and bolstering the recruit- current offering 2012, in Choir’sanniversary St.Thomas 800th the til The campus in Leipzig’s Bach Street will continue to quarter grow un- needed. urgently so we rooms lecture and rehearsal improved, and steps most towardimportant our future: we now have the additional, the of two taken have we Thomana, Villa the of reconstruction and center daycare new the of completion the With school. the around It is my hope that this pamphlet will intrigue and inspire you to you inspire and intrigue will pamphlet this that hope my is It

Thomaskantor Georg ChristophBiller 1 Leipzig, imSeptember 2008 1

5 DERTHoMAnER CHoR THETHoMAnERCHoR LEIpzIG CHoIR)THoMAS BoYS (ST 1

“now performing: The Thomanerchor Leipzig (St Thomas Boys Choir)”

The announcement alone draws interested and enthused asteroid 1023 “Stella Thomana” recognizes in addition the terrestri- crowds into concert halls worldwide, for Leipzig’s boys’ choir en- al triad of the St. Thomas Church, St. Thomas School, and St. Tho- joys international renown – and this is no recent development. The mas Choir: the “Thomana”. choir’s fi rst international engagements took them to Denmark and St Thomas Boys Choir is devoted primarily to fostering sacral Norway as early as 1920 and, in addition to its numerous appear- music (Musica sacra), especially the cantatas, motets, and oratori- ances in Germany, the choir has received invitations for extended cal works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Its musical repertoire ranges guest performances abroad nearly every year since then. Whether from Gregorian chants to modern hymns. in Sweden, Greece, Spain, or Poland – the choir has been a fi rmly Eight-hundred years of history of everyday life and music, established element of European cultural life for some time now. a widely acknowledged contemporary reputation, a unique, for- In Asia and America, as well, the young singers have captured the ward-looking cultural and educational landscape and almost one attention of an ever-wider audience through excellent performances hundred boys and young men with individual personalities and and extraordinary professionalism. a common passion for music – that is St Thomas Boys Choir. Postage stamps were printed in honor of the St Thomas Boys Choir, even an express train bears its name. The christening of

6 < Dress code: The “Kiel Blouse” (Sailor Suit) Originating in Victorian England in the mid-nineteenth century, the dark blue suit with the striped collar became the standard boys’ wear for Sundays and holidays in bourgeois society. Fashioned af- ter the typical sailor’s uniform, the suit remained en vogue in many C h o irys ) European countries until 1930. Since clothes for German sailors at that time were manufactured exclusively in the north German city of mas Bo Kiel, the suit became known as the “Kiel Blouse”.

Initially worn with shorts and stockings, the soprano and alto T h o t singers’ blouse by now has become the St Thomas Boys Choir’s vi-

sual trade mark. (The Domchor Berlin and the Wiener Sängerknaben ig (S

also adopted this suit as their choir uniform.) The older boys, the pz tenor and bass singers, perform in traditional dark suit and tie. r L ei erch o ma n T heh o T

Musical presence in historical places

Aside from regular concert tours, frequent appearances in the media and numerous CD recordings, the St Thomas Boys Choir nat­ urally appears, above all, in its hometown. Its three performances each week in Leipzig’s St.Thomas Church are a musical highlight, attracting crowds of more than 2,500 people – citizens of Leipzig as well as a large number of tourists – to the Motet every Friday eve- ning and Saturday afternoon; the latter performance features a can- tata by Johann Sebastian Bach performed in collaboration with the Gewandhaus orchestra. And on Sundays, just as in Bach’s lifetime, St Thomas Boys Choir provides the musical setting for the service at this historical site. The young singers have also left their indelible mark on the city’s image, especially the younger boys who can be seen hastening to St. Thomas’ at certain times dressed in their typical performance outfit, the “Kiel Blouse” or sailor suit. More notably, however, the choir has set the highest of standards in its regular performances of Bach’s Passions, the Christmas Oratorio, and Mass in B minor, ma- king a lasting impression on Leipzig’s music scene. Anyone who has seen them perform knows: the mesmerizing sound of St Thomas Boys Choir is simply breathtaking.

7 THETHoMAnERCHoR LEIpzIG CHoIR)THoMAS BoYS (ST

The Thomaner: Choir and School, a tradition of unity for 800 years

The beginning of this long and unique choral tradition dates After the Reformation reached Leipzig in 1539, St. Thomas School and back almost eight hundred years. In the year 1212 – when Leipzig had its choir were placed under the patronage of the city in 1543. Ten years just received its town and market charters – a monastery, church, and later, in 1553, a new building was constructed which – with some school named after Saint Thomas were affi liated to Canons Regular mod ifi cations – housed St. Thomas School until 1902. At that time the (“Augustiner-Chorherrenstift”) to instruct the boys particularly for the school was located directly adjacent to the St. Thomas Church. The musical services that they took over from the secular Canons Regular. principal and the cantor lived in the school building together with the St. Thomas School was also open to the children of Leipzig’s burghers weekly inspectors and a select group of students. and is thus regarded as Germany’s oldest public school. For 300 years Today the Thomaner live, learn and rehearse in the alumnat, it also remained Leipzig’s only school, making the St. Thomas Choir about 1,000 yards away from the historic site, and attend St. Thomas Leipzig’s oldest cultural institution. Secondary School just across the street. Given the short distance Seen as refl ecting divine order, music played a very important between school, home, and practice rooms, they can shoulder both role in the medieval educational canon. The choir sang at the services, the normal daily routine and heavy workload and still have enough at baptisms, weddings and funerals, as well as events of the town leisure time. council, as a kind of recompense for education and tuition.

8 “Just walking through the corridors you sense the unique at- mosphere. Being a member of the Boys’ Choir is an incredible opportunity. But, of course, we aren’t angels either ... ” Patrick, 10th grade (2004) THETHoMAnERCHoR LEIpzIG CHoIR)THoMAS BoYS (ST

“To engage with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in a com- munity of nearly a hundred boys is an incredibly formative experience. Beyond music itself, you learn to assume social responsibility ... ” Christian, 12th grade (2008)

The Alumnat – A World of Its own

Life in the “Box”, as the boys refer to their alumnat, is a world to voice their troubles – and not merely regarding school. The older of its own. Here, utter silence dominates in turn with polyrhythmic, boys are responsible for younger roommates and readily attend to harmonized whistling to the noise of clopping feet in the crowded cor- their concerns, many of which are familiar to them from their own ridors. At other times, the hallways are completely deserted, while experience. the sounds of music emanate from behind closed doors. Not the common experience of a wealthy background but mu- The choral community is also strengthened by assigning a little tual talent has brought these boys and young men from different responsibility to each individual student, involving not only singing parts of the country together to live in the alumnat. In Leipzig they and the choral chores but every aspect of life in the alumnat, thus are given the opportunity to have a comprehensive musical edu- contributing to his personal development. cation. The students see this common background as a precious The principle of communal upbringing has proven itself at enrichment. These youngsters are largely responsible for actively St. Thomas’ for centuries, and the boys defend it fervently. Thoma- shaping life in the choir and in the alumnat. Thus, despite its added ner of different ages live together like in a second family. Here, they responsibilities and intensive practicing, this environment some- celebrate their birthdays and together make preparations for Christ- times offers more freedom and opportunities for personal growth mas. In this atmosphere of camaraderie, the boys quickly fi nd an ear than life at home.

9 “With practices and performances, we naturally have less time for school. On the other hand, life at the alumnat does have its advan- tages ... We can talk to each other anytime about things we didn’t understand C h o irys ) in school, even copy, though that doesn’t help. Well, of course, some- times it does ...” Nikolaus, 7th grade (2004) mas Bo T h o t ig (S pz r L ei erch o ma n T heT h o

1

“Keyboard polisher” or responsibility in detail

Since every student bears some responsibility, the alumnat vir- example, in the latest filming of the german children’s classic “The tually runs itself; conflict arises seldom among the boys. Given the Flying Classroom” by Erich Kästner. daily responsibilities associated with the choir, the students are ac- Some of the scenes from the movie were filmed on site at customed to taking direction. Criticism voiced by peers is seen as an St. Thomas School. For a little while, the director experienced daily opportunity for self-reflection and personal development. life at the alumnat first-hand, and in many places the film offers in- It is a matter of course that every “Thomasser”, as the boys sight into the boys’ everyday life, which, while seen through an artis­ refer to themselves, contributes his share to create a well-balanced tic gaze, nevertheless reflects the special atmosphere life in such a community. Even the youngest of its members take on important community naturally creates: duties as keyboard polishers and guardians of the sheet music. Af- To live as a boy among boys, to sing every day and to have so ter all, what would happen if the boys realized just as a concert was many friends – only a few yards away. about to begin that they had no music? It’s all happened before, for

10 Georg Christoph Biller Born 20 September 1955 in Nebra (Unstrut) • 1965–74 Musical education in Leipzig as member of St Thomas Boys Choir (choir prefect) under Erhard Mauersberger and Hans-Joachim Rotzsch • 1976–81 Orchestral conducting studies under Kurt Masur and Rolf C h o irys ) Reuter, as well as singing under Bernd Siegfried Weber at the Music Academy in Leipzig • Soloist for Lied and oratorios • 1976 founding mas Bo of “Leipzig Vocal Ensemble” • 1980–91 Director, Leipzig’s Gewand-

haus choir • Lecturer for choral conducting at the School for Church T h o t Music in Halle • 1982 Diploma in orchestral directing at the Summer

Academy of the Mozarteum in Salzburg • 1985 Osaka music ig (S

prize • 1991/92 Lecturer for choral conducting at the Music Acad­ pz emy Frankfurt/M. and Detmold • 1992 to the present, cantor of r L ei St. Thomas Choir, Leipzig • 1994 to the present, Professor of cho-

ral conducting at the University erch o of Music and Theatre, Leipzig • ma n 1996 to the present, Member, Saxon Academy of the Arts • 2005 to present, adjunct faculty T heh o T member at Detmold School of Music

Georg Christoph Biller, mem- ber of the Board of Directors of Leipzig’s Bach Festival, is closely associated with many contem- porary composers and is himself 1 an active composer.

“Once a Thomaner, always a Thomaner”

Music, naturally, is the center of life in St. Thomas Boys’ Choir. The years living as part of the community in the choir and alum- Yet, in time, of course, students also develop other, individual in- nat mean more than “merely” singing. Ultimately, they are a gift to terests. After the completion of their studies at St. Thomas, students each individual that shapes life beyond the community. All former are qualified to pursue higher education in the field of their choice. “Thomasser” are and remain tied in some form not only to music but Law, medicine, and theology are most popular among prospective to one another – even after years together at school they maintain students, though some graduates go on to devote their careers to strong, lasting friendships. Many former students visit the school, music. Over the centuries, St Thomas Boys Choir has produced emi- sing in the choir as guest performers or become active supporters nent orchestra directors, singers, composers, and musicians. Some and benefactors of “their” St. Thomas choir. For they are all united by have even returned to St. Thomas to become “Thomaskantor”, the certainty: “Once a Thomaner, always a Thomaner.” as with Georg Christoph Biller, who has held the office since 1992.

11 < St Thomas Boys Choir has had a number of renowned cantors. Many of them not only decisively influenced musical history as a whole, but were often role models for the boys. Johann Sebastian Bach, however, shaped the choir in a special way. For nearly thirty years, he lived un- C h o irys ) der one roof with the boys, as an employee of the city in the cantor’s apartment of St. Thomas School. Here, in Leipzig he composed the most significant part of his sacral works, including the passions, the mas Bo Mass in B minor and the Christmas oratorio. The Boys’ Choir sang

T h o primarily in the two main churches St. Nikolai and St. Thomas. For t these Sunday services, Bach composed a new cantata every week. As

ig (S Leipzig’s “Director musices”, Bach was also responsible for music in

pz the city as a whole. r L ei erch o ma n T heT h o

Soli Deo Gloria

Daily practices, directed by St. Thomas’ cantor, form the center- only around half of the boys in the choir were raised in Christian piece of choir life for the boys. Georg Christoph Biller, the 16th suc- households, during their years of intensive study not only of music cessor of Johann Sebastian Bach, sees the choir’s chief purpose in but of the lyrics, as well, many of them experience a new sense of “Soli Deo Gloria”, singing “to the glory of God alone”, consciously purpose, are baptized and later confirmed. It is not at all unusual for continuing in the 21st century the tradition of the choir’s most famous young people to discover faith through music. cantor – Bach marked most of his works, as was customary at the time, with the abbreviation S.D.G., often in place of his own name. He thus made it clear that he saw his work as praise to God, that he had composed it to honor him. Since the choir’s songs traditionally form an integral part of the liturgy, as with readings and prayer, it is of ut- most importance to Thomaskantor Georg Christoph Biller that all the boys understand the lyrics they sing. He explains specific passages so that the younger boys, too, understand them. Though currently

12 C h o irys ) mas Bo T h o t ig (S pz r L ei erch o ma n < Today as in the past, the cantor’s work in rehearsal is supported, in addition to an assistant, by the choir prefects. These are older members of the choir, who take care of the sheet music, direct prac- T heh o T tices, and occasionally even conduct in the church. For these young men, the office of prefect is both a mark of distinction as well as a challenge, for in addition to professional ability a certain degree of pedagogical talent is also required to work with members of the choir who are, in part, of the same age in an atmosphere of trust and pro- fessionalism.

Everyday life in the choir: Singing is “only” a part

After school and concentrated time for homework, music be­ still to look at the choir conductor, for everything – cue, phrasing, and comes the chief focus of activity at the alumnat until dinnertime. The dynamic – plays an important part in creating the proper character lecture halls and practice rooms are well-frequented: weekly individ­ of a piece. ual sessions in voice training and instrument instruction, regular By and by the other boys join the general rehearsal. They open practice sessions on selected instruments, and, as the central focus the door to the hall as quietly as possible, careful to avoid any unne- of the day, choir practice. cessary noise. Those who aren’t singing presently take a bit of time to Before the choir gathers in the rehearsal hall, there are usually relax, or they read the music handed out by the boy in charge. Even practices for each of the voices under the direction of the cantor’s when individual passages must be repeatedly rehearsed, the boys assistant or a prefect, since the cantor himself cannot be everywhere exert themselves to create the sound envisioned by the cantor. at once. He is already in the hall practicing with a smaller group of Even this brief glance into everyday life in the choir makes it singers – achieving a homogeneous sound requires attention to a clear: Res severa est verum gaudium – True joy is a serious matter. wide range of variables, every nuance must be right. The singers are taught to sing from the sheet music, to pay attention to rhythm, yet

13 HISToRY

A Brief history of the St Thomas Boys Choir

From the Augustinian Canons Regular until today, 800 years whose impact extended beyond their work to their broader environ- have passed since the founding of the choir in 1212. The choir has ment. Moreover, they maintained active relationships and friendships experienced not only social transformation but, as a highly acclaimed to prominent contemporaries. ensemble, was present at important historical events – for example, Cantor Sethus Calvisius was at once musician, mathematician, at the founding of the University of Leipzig in 1409 in the refectory of chronologist, and astronomer; his successor Johann Hermann Schein St. Thomas Cloister, which led to the close relationship of the univer- studied “jurisprudence along with the liberal arts” at his Alma Mater sity, the St. Thomas School and choir. In June 1519, cantor Georg Rhau Lipsiensis; Sebastian Knüpfer was a philologist and took offi ce at the conducted a self-composed 12-part motet in St. Thomas’ Church on mere age of 25. the occasion of the disputation between Martin Luther and Johann Johann Kuhnau, who held the offi ce of cantor for some 21 years Eck. and was the immediate predecessor of Bach, studied law and theolo- Not least as a result of the choir’s reputation, which even before J. gy, was a master of foreign languages, and poet. S. Bach was known beyond the boundaries of the city, the city of Leip- With Johann Sebastian Bach, however, St Thomas Boys Choir zig, particularly since the time of the Reformation in 1539, devel oped made lasting history. Since Bach held the offi ce of cantor, his music into an important center of musical culture. In addition to St. Thomas’ has become an integral part of everyday life in the choir. Through the cantors, a number of other celebrated composers (among others, renown of his works, he has proven over and again to be the choir’s Heinrich Schütz) dedicated their own works to St. Thomas’ Choir. patron saint in diffi cult times. His successors decisively infl uenced Many exceptional personalities have had a marked infl uence on the Bach Renaissance beginning in the 19th century. The Bach Soci- the development of the Boys’ choir in the past. They were not only ety, founded in Leipzig in 1850 by Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt, important musicians and composers but educated scientists as well, aspired to publish a complete edition of Bachs compositions. The

14 HISToRY

Society’s chairman was cantor Moritz Hauptmann. His successor, Boys Choir and the Gewandhaus Orchestra are the two most signifi - Wilhelm Rust, edited the fi rst 23 volume, complete edition of Bach’s cant musical envoys of the city of Leipzig. work. In fact, several of St. Thomas’ cantors were engaged fi rst at the His successor Gustav Schreck was the founding member of the Gewandhaus: Johann Adam Hiller and Johann Gottfried Schicht con- “New Bach Society”, which organizes Bach festivals in various cities ducted the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Karl Straube and Günther Ramin, to this day. In 1912 on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the who earned their reputations fi rst as organ virtuosos, were organists “Schola Thomana” he organized a concert featuring exclusively the at St. Thomas and conducted the Gewandhaus choir, as well – as did works of St. Thomas cantors. The compositions performed spanned Georg Christoph Biller later. seven centuries of musical history, from Georg Rhau, one of the fi rst The renown of St Thomas Boys Choir grew signifi cantly in the St. Thomas cantors, through to Gustav Schreck, who, by the way, re- 20th century, as a result not only of the increasing number of perform- spectfully referred to his offi ce as the “leading cantor position of the ances abroad but, among other things, to its premier radio broadcast world”. in the 1930s, featuring performances under Straube’s direction of all As a so-called church orchestra, members of the Gewandhaus of Bach’s extant cantata and transmitted throughout Europe and over- Orchestra in the beginning performed together with the choir in seas. Leipzig’s two main churches. To this day, the collaboration of the or- The commitment of Günther Ramin, Kurt Thomas, Erhard Mau- chestra in the performance of cantatas and oratorios in St. Thomas’ ersberger and Hans-Joachim Rotzsch – the latter, by the way, the only is part of its offi cial charter. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Leipzig native among St. Thomas’ cantors – to the choir sustained the the choir has played an increasingly more frequent role in the choral institution even in politically diffi cult times and fostered its artistic symphonic performances of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. St Thomas achievement.

15 “Nowhere else would I have found as many good friends as I have in St. Thomas’ Choir. We are all united through the music.” Stefan, 9th grade (2008) LEISuRETIME

“I have lots of friends here who I can play football or do other things with when we’re not practicing. There’s always something going on; it’s never boring. I’ve learned, too, just avoid those I don’t get along with.” Kien, 6th grade (2008)

Always on the move

The life of a Thomaner is not likely to become boring. The excite- say, but the trophy cup has made the trip to Leipzig on several oc- ment of concert tours throughout the world, the collective summer casions. After all, not every tradition is worth keeping ... At least the retreat and, above all, the passion for leisure activity number 1 – foot- fans seem to think so, too. Friends, parents, teachers, among others, ball – ensure that. There is never a shortage of players at the alumnat, and, of course, Thomaner cheer on their kickers with heart and soul, and the gymnasium and sizeable playing fi eld are available for use making even the sometimes coarsest of football battle cries sound anytime. unusually refi ned and melodious: Once a singer, always a singer. The individual dormitories compete against one another in the In the summer, aside from the football fi eld, the volleyball courts “Kastenmeisterschaften”, the intramural championships. The “TC-Ju- and large courtyard of the alumnat are also booming with activity. nior” meets weekly, and the older boys’ team, “TC 1212”, even has its Students meet here to play their favorite chasing game “Bannehef” own trainer to get them into shape for the two most crucial games of or table tennis. Though, at times, some prefer the virtual movement the season: St Thomas Boys Choir vs. Dresden’s Choir of the Church of a Gameboy. of the Holy Cross (Kreuzchor) (DKC). St. Thomas usually loses, they

16 LEISuRETIME

“Music aside for the moment, I don’t now if I would have developed my strong affi nity for history and politics somewhere else.” Patrick, 10th grade (2004)

… By the Way

In a Thomaner’s free time, as they say, music is more than Bach. Whether history and politics, natural sciences or far-off places, While over the years they incidentally become Bach fans, rock and whether fi tness studio or just reading, perhaps even producing their pop are naturally a part of the boys’ everyday life. On the headsets own play – the boys of St Thomas’ Choir are as individual as are their of their MP3 players, they immerse themselves in the sounds of their various hobbies. Regardless which direction they choose, the resour- favorite contemporary bands and sometimes start their own. Drums ces of the alumnat, almost without boundary, fosters the creativity of and technical equipment are available in the band practice room. each individual. But, it doesn’t always have to be music either, some say and use their free time to pursue other interests. A favorite spot of aesthetes is the student-run and well-organized St. Thomas library. In the cozy reading corner is a broad selection of books and magazines for stu- dents to peruse in their own fashion.

17 MAnAGEMEnT

Managing on every level

Ensuring the well-being of every Thomaner requires the commit- and events, as well as the alumnat but in managing, above all, the ment and engagement of many people behind the scenes to provide seemingly “natural” aspects of life that so much dedication can be a smooth daily routine: found. Students eat together in the dining hall and meals are pre pared In addition to the fundamental municipal funding of the school fresh daily in the school’s own kitchen. Teachers, or inspectors, as and choir, friends and supporters of the choir have come together to they are called, organize free time activities and accompany the youn- form a sponsors’ circle and foundation, which offer alumni practical ger boys on their way to the church or to the cinema. They are availa- aide and support. ble at all times and are actively involved with students, occasionally intervening to regulate confl ict in the community. The superintendent of building and grounds is there to take care of various, daily repairs – including the perfect football fi eld, while the tailor shop sews and alters concert suits. In short, it is not only in the technical and fi nancial management of the choir, of concerts

18 SCouTInGTALEnT

Scouting Talent

Being a Thomaner in the fi rst instance doesn’t mean leaving Cooperation with the newly erected, bilingual day care center home as much as it does fi nding a home-away-from-home. Life here and grade school E. Manet enable a comprehensive musical exposure is like a big family with lots of siblings, yet with the distinction that from the age of 3: instrumental play, music theory, and, of course, sin- every summer the oldest boys leave and new, younger boys join the ging make up the core of these preparatory years. Children can have community. their fi rst experiences as a member of a choir community as part of To keep the choir from having to “reinvent” itself every year and a children’s choir. The up-and-coming singers participate in the pro- to preserve the high quality of its sound, St Thomas Boys Choir works duction of the St. Matthew Passion and are allowed to sing the cantus closely with various educational institutions in Leipzig. fi rmus as part of the opening chorus. While in the 19th century boys could continue to sing soprano For many, the experience of having sung together with a large and alto till the age of 17 and beyond, today their voices change as choir is unforgettable. Afterward, most of them can hardly wait until early as 12 or 13. Actively fostered early education, however, gives they can fi nally be “real” Thomaner. even the youngest members of the choir the necessary tools to sing diffi cult works from the start.

19 VISIonSTRuE CoME

800 Years of Thomana – Foundation for the future

From the start of his offi ce as cantor, Georg Christoph Biller be- and fostering the growth of their existing talents. This regards not gan to perform all of Bach’s extant cantata, cyclically in chronologi- only individual abilities but also a comprehensive understanding of cal order. Aside from maintaining and continuing the great tradition, and interest in music. Even the young Kindergarten children take fi eld Biller used the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the St. Thomas trips to instrument builders, to the Bach museum, to see organs in Choir, Church, and School to expand the tradition of collaboration Leipzig’s surrounding community, to St. Thomas’ Church, and the Ge- and take it in new directions. wandhaus. Beginning in 2012, Luther’s Church (“Lutherkirche”) at Jo- With the forum thomanum, an international educational center hannapark, located in the campus area, will be available for concerts adjoining St. Thomas school and alumnat to be completed in 2012, and theater presentations, church services, and as an auditorium. St. Thomas choir strives to increase the involvement of others in their Together, St. Thomas’ School, Choir, and Church are an 800-year- own work, to “infect, incite, and excite” them with, to and for music – old tradition bursting with creativity and serve through their daily in- not merely to consume but rather actively create music. teraction as a source of innovative change. New rehearsal rooms and the extension to the alumnat currently under construction will offer improved living conditions for the stu- dents. In harmony with St. Thomas’ School, art and music can be lived and experienced as a natural part of the educational canon. From Kindergarten through to qualifi cation for university, children are More detailed information is available at: offered a musical education that specifi cally focuses on expanding www.forum-thomanum.de

20 < St. Thomas cantor Georg Christoph Biller works closely with St. Thomas’ organists and the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus Orche- stra, founded in 1743, still in Bach’s lifetime, by the city’s musicians. Several of the instruments used at that time are exhibited in the south sacristy of the St. Thomas Church. Unfortunately, the organs

from Bach times no longer exists. CoopERATIon

“Singing every day. Awesome!”

In the age of absolute media presence, Thomaskantor Georg al music festival attracting renowned artists from across the globe, Christoph Biller is not only focused on fostering the musical educa- the “Bachfest”, takes place annually in Leipzig and is traditionally tion of the youngest, the “pre-Thomaner”, but continually looks for opened with a performance by the St Thomas Boys Choir. new forms of public outreach through various event locations and cooperation partners. After all, “Serious art does not conform to rat- ings. The readiness to engage with it must fi rst be cultivated.” (Inter- view G.C. Biller / GewandhausMagazin Nr. 54) For members of the choir, this engagement comes in the form of daily musical activity, with the unspoken goal of delivering the high- est possible performance. Though we increasingly hear complaints about how little singing is done these days, here at St. Thomas’ alum- nat the boys agree: “Singing every day. Awesome!” The St. Thomas Choir works together with various institutions in Leipzig, and its work is supported by active private citizens, the St. Thomas Choir Foundation, and the sponsors’ circle. The continued presence of the choir in Leipzig has preserved the city’s reputation as a center for Protestant sacral music. The most signifi cant internation-

21 < Many distinguished publishing houses enjoyed and continue to enjoy close personal ties with the St. Thomas Choir, e.g. Breitkopf & Härtel. Around 1865, Heinrich Brockhaus ensured the printing of the first church service programs with lyrics. Anton Kippenberg oun ters was a close acquaintance of cantor Straube, while B. G. Teub- n c

e ner Publishers, as the most important publisher of editions of classical philology, initiated the donation of entire class sets of “Bibliotheca scriptorum graecorum et romanorum Teubneriana”. Even during the time of socialism, the choir worked closely not only with publishing houses such as Union Verlag Berlin but also Bärenreiter-Verlag in Kassel, a relationship which still exists to- day. It also collaborates with Carus Verlag and the Evangelische Verlagsanstalt.

Living Tradition

Beyond the boundaries of the city of Leipzig and of Germany, as well, the choir maintains close relationships to publishing houses and other choirs, as well as soloists. It is sought out by Bach resear- chers and admirers. Its historical library is a rich source of material for musicologists. The diversity of opportunities presented by the newly 1 developing campus, forum thomanum promises to continue the tradi- tional and effectual synthesis of music and academic education. For visitors – companies, schools, youth groups and Bach spe- cialists – it is the choir itself that is the attraction. They enjoy hearing about the daily work and life of the Thomaner. Often, these encoun- ters lead to new contacts for potential, perhaps even sustained sup- porters.

22 “I have been in the USA, in Italy, I was on Mallorca ..., because [I did] something to earn it.”

Christian, 8th grade (2004) ou te n r e

Hungary 2007: “The friendly German teachers from the Hungarian school even offered to give the younger boys a private, evening tour of Budapest, which thankfully they accepted. Then the older boys were able to take in the sights of Budapest’s beautiful inner city at night in peace.” Lucas, 11th grade (2008)

Musical Emissaries

Since their first international tour in 1920, the choir has em- Concert tours in North America were inaugurated by the choir barked on ever-longer tours throughout Europe. In the two decades under Georg Christoph Biller with the widely successful USA tour in thereafter, it was not only numerous times in Denmark, Norway, Swe- 1998; England, Greece, and South Korea are among the newest stops den, France, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia, but was also invited to on its tour, and contact has been made with Australia and China. A Belgium, Hungary, and Italy, countries it would visit again for longer love for travel and the many unforgettable experiences it brings is tours after the end of the war. shared by all the members of the choir. Applause from all over the As part of East Germany, the choir naturally made frequent visits globe is something they are certain to hear, for this time-honored yet 1 to the Soviet Union and Poland. With its tours to West Berlin, the Fed­ ever-youthful choir is greatly esteemed around the world and a wel- eral Republic of Germany, to Japan, Finland, Luxemburg, Spain, and come guest at international music centers everywhere. Liechtenstein, the choir crossed political boundaries as well. Whether Europe, Asia or America – the diversity and profound In 1955 the choir made its premiere on the American continent: complexity of Bachs work is venerated throughout the world. The The adventurous trip took the choir to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. bearer of this music in the highest quality is a musical institution of Twenty years later, it captured the musical hearts of the Japanese. world-renown: Leipzig’s St Thomas Boys Choir. Since then, the choir has been a regular guest in the land of the rising sun.

23 Music speaks for itself, provided we give it a chance. (Yehudi Menuhin)

24 ConTACT Contact

Thomanerchor Leipzig Adress Hillerstraße 8 04109 Leipzig Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 11 Fax +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 41 Web www.thomanerchor.de offi ce of the Cantor Speaker Uta-Maria Thiele Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 26 e-mail [email protected]

Managing Director / Concert Inquiries Director Dr. Stefan Altner Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 22 e-mail [email protected]

Choir membership information Director of the Alumnat Thoralf Schulze Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 24 e-mail [email protected] Director of Education Roland Weise Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 27 e-mail [email protected]

Förderkreis Thomanerchor Leipzig e.V. (Registered Benevolent Association) Chairman Dr. Michael Kampf Adress c/o Thomanerchor Leipzig Hillerstraße 8, 04109 Leipzig Phone/Fax +49 (0)341 – 983 93 53 e-mail [email protected]

Donations Account Nr. 115 800 501 Bank Code: 860 400 00 Commerzbank Leipzig

Stiftung Thomanerchor (Foundation) Chairman of the Board Dr. Stefan Altner Adress Hillerstraße 8, 04109 Leipzig Phone +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 22 Fax +49 (0) 341 - 9 84 42 – 43 e-mail [email protected] Donations Account Nr. 114 848 500 Bank Code 860 400 00 Commerzbank Leipzig

25 26 Der ThomanerIm pchrionrt Circulation Printshop Image Editing Graphic Design&Set Photos Translation from German Text Editorial Staff Editor Imprint 1.000 Copies Merkur Druck-&Kopierzentrum GmbH Sina Fischer Katja Hillscher / Tanja Schnurpfeil –Kommunikationsdesign WERFT DIE Mothes,Roland Gert Weise (S.23) Staci Keil von Boeckmann,Hartmut Birgit Nitschke Dr. Stefan Altner, Uta-Maria Thiele an organization ofthecityLeipzig Thomanerchor Leipzig – Der Thomaner chor