Chamber Music Hall © INTERKULTUR

Grand conclusion of the “Fest der Chorkulturen”

Thundering applause for Berlin Radio Choir and international choirs at the Closing Concert in Berlin

Grand Prix of Nations

With a spectacular Closing Concert in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berliner Philharmonie the “Fest der Chorkulturen” and Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017 was ceremoniously closed on Saturday evening.

For four days 30 choirs from 15 different countries including Argentina, Finland, Russia and Turkey, took part in various competitions, gave Friendship Concerts and brought the variety of choral music into the world metropolis of Berlin.

As a recognition of their achievements the best choirs of the choral festival and the Berlin Radio Choir once again demonstrated their skills on Saturday evening. Recently honored with the conductor’s prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of “Iuppiter” by Michael Ostrzyga the “Kammerchor des Collegium Musicum Berlin”, conducted by Donka Miteva, has inspired the audiece once again with this song.

Also the two award-winning Gnesins' Ensemble of Contemporary Music "Altro coro" with his conductor Aleksandr Ryzhinskiy from Russia touched the audience in the heart. Beginning with an angelically sung solo, "Only in Sleep" - also penned by the Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds - developed into a gigantic, almost spherical choral sound that went under the skin.

Berlin Radio Choir and Workshop attendees © INTERKULTUR Berlin Radio Choir © INTERKULTUR Children Choir Consonance © INTERKULTUR Kammerchor des Collegium Musicum Berlin © INTERKULTUR Embla © INTERKULTUR Nilüfer Polyphonic Choir © INTERKULTUR Gnesins' Ensemble of Contemporary Music "Altro coro" © INTERKULTUR Kamerniy Devichiy Khor by Lysenko © INTERKULTUR KYN © INTERKULTUR KYN and Berlin Radio Choir © INTERKULTUR

Under the direction of Nicolas Fink, the Mass in E flat major op. 109 by Rheinberger and the motets for choir a cappella by Schütz were sung by more than 120 singers of the Sing Along Workshop and the Radio Choir Berlin. Five days of intensive rehearsals lay behind the result, which was really impressive: with musically precision, a brilliant sound and absolute enthusiasm, the two composers were honored.

With the performance of Schönberg's "Friede auf Erden" by the hosting Berlin Radio Choir, the top choir said good bye to its international guests and thanked them for a colorful and first-class “Fest der Chorkulturen”.

As the crowning conclusion and one of the most beautiful moments of the Choir Festival, the entire Chamber Music Hall once again sung the official festival hymn "Proclamation". As if the last festival days would resonate in form of satisfaction, recognition and many unique impressions, an outstanding atmosphere spread. Over 1000 voices peacefully united in a song - an experience of a special kind and a great ending of the “Fest der Chorkulturen”.

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