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Choir and Orchestra

MacMillan und Chor

From Bach to Pärt - the composer in residence at the conductor's stand.
© James Bellorini

About the Concert

Sneak Peek

Bach – Britten - Pärt – MacMillan: for the "Day of Liberation" on 8 May, we musically bridge to Great Britain with our Philharmonic Choirs and present a programme that illuminates different musical approaches to themes such as peace, remembrance, and spirituality. In his "Sinfonia da Requiem," Benjamin Britten combines liturgical elements with his personal musical language. Created against the backdrop of the Second World War, the composition stands as a memorial and a plea for peace and humanity.<br>Arvo Pärt's "Da pacem Domine" blends meditative calm with a clear, simple aesthetic. Pärt's minimalist sound language elevates the Latin plea for peace into a timeless, universal dimension. However, the musical core of the concert consists of two works by our Composer in Residence, who also conducts. His "Cantos Sagrados" are particularly poignant. "When writing this work, I wanted to compose something that is both timeless and contemporary, both sacred and secular," he says himself. The result is a moving work for choir and orchestra that is particularly striking under his direction. <br><br>The concert duration is approximately two hours in total and includes a break of about 25 minutes.<br>

Programme

Arvo Pärt
"Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten"

James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Os Mutorum" Motet for two soprano voices and harp
"Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" Antiphon for equal voices, two trumpets and organ

Benjamin Britten
"Sinfonia da Requiem" for orchestra

Knut Nystedt
"Immortal Bach" for choir a cappella, based on the song "Komm, süsser Tod" by Johann Sebastian Bach

Arvo Pärt
"Da pacem Domine" for choir and orchestra

James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Cantos Sagrados" for choir and orchestra

Artists

Sir James MacMillan
Conductor
Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden
Philharmonischer Chor Dresden
Chorus 116
Kammerchor des Universitätschor Dresden
ffortissibros
Dresdner Philharmonie
Programme booklet to media library

Biographies

Sir James MacMillan

Composer in Residence Season 25/26

As Composer in Residence, James MacMillan contributes a selection of his numerous works to the Dresden Philharmonic's 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. The Scotsman is one of the most successful contemporary composers and performs internationally as a conductor. His music is fuelled by rhythmic tension, emotion, connection and tradition, and The Herald newspaper describes it as "beguiling, intriguing, poignant, hilarious, electrifyingly exciting [and] challenging".

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Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden

The Dresden Philharmonic Children’s Choir is one of Germany’s best-known and most successful children’s choirs and has a history stretching back almost sixty years. Its repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to the 21st century, encompassing works from many countries and cultures, from folk songs to pop adaptations.

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Philharmonischer Chor Dresden

The Dresden Philharmonic Choir has been active for over 55 years, since it was founded in 1967 on the initiative of Kurt Masur. The approximately 70 singers perform the demanding choral work in their free time. They give concerts with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the respective chief and guest conductors, collaborate with other choirs and orchestras and perform a cappella programs in and outside of Dresden. Iris Geißler has led the ensemble since October 2022.

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Chorus 116

Chorus 116 is an amateur choir founded in Dresden in 2006. Following a one-off concert project involving former members of the Kreuzchor, the desire arose to continue singing together on a regular basis. Initially, the choir was conducted by Christian Hauschild; Milko Kersten took over in 2010, and Wolfgang Hentrich in 2022. The choir’s repertoire consists of sacred and secular choral music ranging from the Renaissance to the present day, including both pieces with instrumental accompaniment and a cappella works.

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Kammerchor des Universitätschor Dresden

The Dresden University Choir (Universitätschor Dresden e.V.) is one of the oldest cultural ensembles at TU Dresden. Since its foundation during the university’s reconstruction following the Second World War, the choir has shaped cultural life in Dresden through its varied programme and has made an impact far beyond the city’s borders.

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ffortissibros

The ffortissibros men’s chamber choir was founded in Schwerin in 2019 and consists mainly of former members of the youth chamber choir at the local Goethe Gymnasium. The singers are aged between 22 and 29 and perform everything from Renaissance works to contemporary choral music – whatever brings them joy. The ensemble has already received numerous awards at competitions both at home and abroad. A particular focus of their work lies on the world premiere of works by forgotten and contemporary composers.

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Dresdner Philharmonie

Top Class!

Top class! That is the claim of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra stands for concerts at the highest artistic level, musical education for all ages and looking beyond the musical horizon. Guest performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guests from all over the world have established the reputation of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in the international classical music world.  

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