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NDR Chor

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The NDR Chor, since 2021 the NDR Vokalensemble, is the choir of the North German broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk, based in Hamburg. It was founded on 1 May 1946 as the choir of the Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk and received its present name in 1956, when the broadcaster was split into NDR and WDR. The first director was Max Thurn, who chose fifty-five singers from more than two thousand applications from professional singers. Today it is a group of twenty-eight singers, and one of the best professional chamber choirs in Germany. The artistic director since 2019 is Klaas Stok.

Music and breakthrough

In the early years the choir worked a great deal with the broadcaster's symphony orchestra. In 1948 it took part in a recording of Beethoven's Fidelio under Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt. The choir took part in groundbreaking projects, such as the concert premiere of Arnold Schönberg's Moses und Aron. Under Helmut Franz, director from 1965, more contemporary music came in. In 1967 he conducted the premiere of Ligeti's Lux aeterna, and there were premieres of Penderecki's Utrenja, Henze's oratorio Floß der Medusa, which caused a scandal, and Stockhausen's Atmen gibt das Leben.

Influence

Later the emphasis was on a cappella music from all periods, including all of Johannes Brahms's a cappella works. The choir showed how a broadcasting choir could carry, alongside the classical repertoire, the newest music of its time, sometimes with serious consequences.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Ligeti's Lux aeterna and notice how the voices slide into one another very slowly, until the sound becomes almost one great curtain of sound.

Discography

Studio albums

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