Chor zur Welt

Chor zur Welt

People from more than 15 countries sing in the Chor zur Welt. They all share a curiosity for the music of other cultures and all enjoy experimenting with their own voices. Under the direction of Jörg Mall, the choir rehearses clearly conceived concert programmes, which are then performed on stage at the Elbphilharmonie and KörberHaus. Together with the singer, songwriter and producer Ramadu from Zimbabwe, the choir is now exploring the traditional a capella music of southern Africa and familiarising itself with the Bantu languages of Ndbele and Xhosa. Choir members and the audience can expect a variety songs that are stylistically very different, all in response to the breathtaking nature and volatile history of the countries of Southern Africa. The stylistic spectrum ranges from the powerful »Mbube« (Zulu for »Lion«), which rose to international fame thanks to Walt Disney’s »The Lion King«, to the militant »Chimurenga«, where the musicians opposed the oppression of the British colonial rulers and campaigned for freedom, independence, social justice and respect for human rights, through to the soft and harmonious »Isicathamiya«. »Ubuntu« – humanity – is the title of the programme, where the desire for freedom comes together in the traditional texts with an appeal for global justice and peaceful coexistence. Ramadu is the stage name of Dumisani Moyo. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he lived in Vienna for many years, where he founded the record label 10th District Music. With a mix of traditional folk music from southern Africa and modern pop sounds, he brought the music of his homeland to a worldwide audience. His various solo and ensemble projects like the »Insingizi« trio have garnered rapturous receptions. The studio attached to his record label has since relocated to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he devotes his efforts to promoting the local art scene. With some great triumphs along the way: NOBUNTU, Zimbabwe‘s first female vocal group, is just one success story that owes its genesis to him.

Chor zur Welt

Roughly 75 singers from 23 cultures regularly come together in the Chor zur Welt (English: World Choir) to sing together. The Elbphilharmonie’s ensemble has already achieved a very broad range of projects. This time, the choir makes a journey around the world and pays a musical visit to the native countries of its singers. »I only rarely speak Arabic in everyday life – it is a genuine sense of home when I can sing in my mother tongue here!« a Syrian choir member reveals. Along with this sense of home comes curiosity about other cultures and the social experience – because singing connects us! So, the music likewise serves as the access, platform and nourishment for the intercultural exchange which shaped the profile of the choir from the start. The Chor zur Welt is conducted by Jörg Mall, who has managed the choir since it was founded in 2016 as the Syrian/German project choir. However, the entire choir is involved in suggesting pieces when arranging its programmes – and also the expertise of everyone is sought after for the translation and practice of the correct pronunciation in the many different languages.

Barockes zur Weihnacht

Konzert zur Todesstunde

Konzert zur Saisoneröffnung

Joana Mallwitz leads the Konzerthausorchester Berlin into her second season as Chief Conductor with a programme of dance music, which for her is ‘perfect’ for the opening of the season. What's more, our new Artist in Residence Sheku Kanneh-Mason is making his first appearance - with Antonín Dvorak's Cello Concerto, which ‘adds a particularly festive element thanks to its familiarity and elegance,’ says our chief conductor. ‘Apart from that, it goes very well with John Adams’ ‘The Chairman Dances’ and Sergei Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances: We have three composers from three eras who went to America and dealt with issues of exile, flight and home. While abroad, they incorporated musical elements from their homeland into their works.’ We are very much looking forward to starting a 2024/25 season with you that is as full of musical energy and excitement as this opening!

Chor-Familienkonzert

Think classical concerts are just for grandparents? Think again! Join our moderated concerts for all ages. Malte Arkona guides you through the program with wit, exploring fascinating works with the audience and artists. Discover something new with the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Choirs, suitable for ages six and up. Arrive an hour early to meet the musicians, try instruments, and get creative at the Instrument Street.

Das Konzert zur Weihnacht

Dvořák »Aus der Neuen Welt«

The Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra returns to Kontrapunkt Concerts for a third time. Following Schumann's Piano Concerto, they'll perform Dvořák's "New World" Symphony, commemorating its triumphant New York premiere 131 years ago, a high point of late Romanticism.

Monteverdi-Chor Hamburg

A special song recital with the Monteverdi Choir Hamburg, the young star soprano Katharina Ruckgaber and the Salzburg tenor Virgil Hartinger: In Franz Schubert’s incredibly large oeuvre, the choral work is still one of the unpolished jewels of the concert repertoire. The audience can expect heart-rending love songs and contemplations of nature full of longing as well as devotional sacred music. The programme is complemented by humorous piano songs by Joseph Haydn about everyday things, such as unwanted chatter at a wine evening and harmony in marriage.

Gürzenich-Chor Köln

Bob Ingalls' symphonic plea for the protection of Mother Earth, "Mother Earth Cries Out!", culminates in Dvořák's powerful setting of the Stabat Mater. Inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato si'", Ingalls' work depicts Mother Earth's desperate cry for care. Dvořák's Stabat Mater contemplates Mary's grief and the believer's compassion, ultimately turning to the prospect of paradise.