From graceful classical music to a lively gospel

The first Friendship Concert took place yesterday afternoon during the “Fest der Chorkulturen” and the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017. Five international choirs from Finland, China and the host country Germany gave the audience an insight into their musical culture.

The St. Matthew Church of Berlin, which, by the way, has a wonderful acoustics and is pleasantly tempered, was filled to capacity. Again and again, chairs were brought to make it possible for the public as well as the interested passers-by to be carried away by the variety of choral music. And so it worked!

At the beginning the boys and girls of the KaMu Youth choir performed songs from different parts of the world. After an imitation of an emerging thunderstorm in the rainforest produced with body percussion and noises, we travelled to  South Africa. With a stop in Germany and the performance of Schumann's "Wassermann", sung by the “Mädchenchor der Sing-Akademie zu Berlin“, we came to Chinese music. Many listeners in the audience had never been in contact with Chinese choral music before, so the interest was great when the “Beijing Guangqumen Middle School Starlight Chorus” began to sing.

In the end, the entertainers of the gospel choirs inspired! entered the stage. We would say “home play”, but the audience was mixed. Berliners as well as tourists and international participating choirs had come. Due to its experience from other international festivals like the "TOTAL CHORAL in Berlin", the choir and its conductor Rebecca Tjimbawe knew how to combine a lot of people with different cultural backgrounds.

It did not need much conviction - the audience was impressed already with the first notes of the sweeping and jazzy songs and joined in the rhythmic clapping. All social differences were forgotten during this time. One was in line with the music.

"Concerts like these are more important than ever in today's world. Creating a platform where cultural diversity is shown, shared, and celebrated is a high priority for me and for inspired! Yesterday evening was a great experience and a sign that music can bring people together and immediately connect them emotionally. Thanks to INTERKULTUR for these concerts!", said Rebecca Tjimbawe.

Photos and videos of the concert can be found on the Facebook page as well as on Youtube.