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INTERKULTUR event tips

These are the most exciting concerts at the "Fest der Chorkulturen"

Grand Prix of Nations

The festival year 2017 starts colorful: 30 outstanding amateur choirs from 15 different nations will compete in the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017 during the Fest der Chorkulturen (February 1-5). The four-day festival program includes a total of 17 concerts and offers a fascinating overall view of international choral music. But where to go first?

Of course, the Opening Concert featuring the premiere of the official festival anthem "Proclamation" on February 1 at 8pm in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berliner Philharmonie is a must. Together with the renowned Berlin Radio Choir, six choirs from Georgia, Russia, China, Germany, Norway and Turkey will perform, among others, the work specially composed by Ēriks Ešenvalds on this occasion.

Lovers of traditional choral music, dances and colorful choir dresses will be satisfied by watching the competition in the popular "Folklore" category on February 2 from 2 pm at the Chamber Music Hall. From Baltic music from the singing nation of Latvia (Female Choir ATBALSS of Liepaja's University) to Turkish choir music (Nilüfer Polyphonic Choir) to well-known folk songs performed by the Chamber Choir of the Collegium Musicum Berlin – this competition promises an insight into the choral traditions of different countries.

By the way: Coming and going between the individual choral performances (these usually last 20 minutes) is explicitly desired. Competitions in the Chamber Music Hall until 7 pm are free of charge.

Music is a language that is understood all over the world and brings people from different cultures together – true to this motto, many Friendship Concerts in St. Matthew's Church take place. For example, the Russian Children's Choir "Consonance" from Moscow will meet the school choir "Coro de Secundaria del Colegio Northlands" from Buenos Aires (February 2, at 7 pm, St. Matthew's Church, free admission). Another Friendship Concert (February 3, at 1 pm, St. Matthew's Church, admission free) features, among others, the "Guiyang No.3 Experimental High School Student Choir" from China and "Kammerkoret Aurum" from Norway. They present favorite pieces from their home.

The festival’s highlight is the Closing Concert with the Berlin Radio Choir, in which all Grand Prix winners once again make their award-winning voices sound. In addition, 120 singers present the results of a Sing Along Workshop conducted by Nicolas Fink.

The "musical intermission" won’t be a rest, but singing will continue! In addition to a Friendship Concert a panel discussion with Nicolas Fink and Prof. Dr. Ralf Eisenbeiß will take place in the foyer with "Deutschlandradio Kultur".

You are really spoilt for choice, aren’t you? All concerts and participating choirs can be found in the program book of the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017.

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