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Choir and Orchestra

MacMillan und Chor

From Bach to Pärt - the Composer in Residence on the podium
© James Bellorini

05/10

Sunday | 05/10/2026
11:00 am Start of Concert
Kulturpalast, Konzertsaal

Prices
from 64 | 53 | 45 | 39 | 29 | 22 €
FLEX fee + 6 €
Reduced prices:
from € 10 for pupils under 18 
from €10 for young people under 30
from 11 € for Dresden-Pass and SB from GdB 80
Who receives discounts? Read here.

About the Concert

Bach - Britten - Pärt - MacMillan: on the "Day of Liberation" on May 8th, we musically bridge to Great Britain with our Philharmonic Choirs and present a program that explores 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 World War II, the composition stands as a monument and plea for peace and humanity. Arvo Pärt's "Da pacem Domine" combines meditative calmness and 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. Particularly poignant are his "Cantos Sagrados." "When writing this piece, I wanted to compose something that is both timeless and contemporary, both sacred and secular," he says. The result is a moving work for choir and orchestra that is particularly touching under his direction.

Programme

Arvo Pärt
"Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten"

James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Os Mutorum" for women's choir and harp
"Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" for children's choir, two trumpets, and organ

Benjamin Britten
"Sinfonia da Requiem" for orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach
"Komm süßer Tod" for choir

Arvo Pärt
"Da pacem Domine" for choir and orchestra

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

Artists

James MacMillan
Conductor
Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden
Philharmonischer Chor Dresden
Chorus 116
Kammerchor des Universitätschor Dresden
ffortissibros
Dresdner Philharmonie

Biographies

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 Philharmonische Kinderchor Dresden is one of the most well-known and successful children's choirs in Germany and can look back on a history of over fifty years. 140 girls and boys currently sing in the choir's various formations, sometimes in performances with the Dresden Philharmonic and sometimes in their own concerts. The programs include works from the Renaissance to the 21st century, 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

The return of our esteemed teacher and choir director Christian Hauschild to Dresden prompted a group of friends and former members of the Kreuzschule choir to reunite in 2005 for a joint concert, performing J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Cantatas 1-3.

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ffortissibros

The male chamber choir ffortissibros originated at the Musikgymnasium J. W. von Goethe in Schwerin. In its founding year, 2019, the ensemble began its journey by participating in the Limburg Male Choir Festival as the youngest choir and the only ensemble from northern Germany. There, the choir was awarded a Golden Diploma as well as the special prize for the best interpretation of a Romantic choral work. In 2021, Benedikt Kantert assumed the musical direction.

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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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