An iconic opening, an entire universe: Beethoven’s »Schicksalssinfonie« is far more than its famous motif—it is an emotional journey from darkness to light. Mozart’s deeply personal Mass in C minor follows a similar path, standing as one of the most significant works of its kind. Though left incomplete, this remarkable setting of the Mass continues to move audiences today with its direct expressive power. In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Bergedorfer Kammerchor, these masterpieces come together for a special concert experience. The choir is joined by the Ahrensburger Kammerorchester—a musical partnership that has thrived successfully for over two decades.
Since its founding in 1946 by Hellmut Wormsbächer, the Bergedorf Chamber Choir has had a firm place in the cultural life of Hamburg and northern Germany. The approximately 35 singers are dedicated to secular and sacred choral literature from all eras. The carefully selected pieces ensure a harmonious overall concept that spans each concert.
The versatility and high vocal standard of the Bergedorf Chamber Choir are maintained through regular rehearsals and several rehearsal weekends each year, as well as professional vocal coaching. In collaboration with Frank Löhr, the Bergedorf Chamber Choir is undergoing continuous vocal and artistic development, promising interesting and high-quality choral music.
Frank Löhr studied conducting, piano, composition, and historical performance practice in Hamburg and supplemented his studies with courses with Mathias Husmann (conducting), Bob van Asperen (harpsichord), and Menahem Pressler (piano), among others. He worked as an opera conductor and répétiteur in Bayreuth, Munich, Frankfurt, and Nuremberg and received invitations to Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Annecy, Ascona, Valencia, Milan, as well as to the Jacques Offenbach Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and the Munich Music Theater Biennale. He owes formative influences to his collaborations with Zubin Mehta, Jessye Norman, Joana Mallwitz, Simon Halsey, Enrique Mazzola, Andrew Manze, Giuseppe Sinopoli, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Magdeburg Philharmonic, the NDR Vocal Ensemble, the Lüneburg and Hamburg Symphony Orchestras, and the Hamburg Camerata. His work is characterized by the often collage-like combination of different styles with new compositions.
PERFORMERS
Bergedorfer Kammerchor chamber choir
Ahrensburger Kammerorchester chamber orchestra
Catherina Witting soprano
Fiona Luisa soprano
Michael Connaire tenor
Luciano Lodi bass
Frank Löhr conductor
PROGRAM
Johannes Brahms
Schicksalslied for Choir and Orchestra, Op. 54
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
- Interval -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Great Mass in C minor, K.427
