Sunday November 8th 7.00 PM
on-line transmition www.goldbergfestival.pl
Recording place: Friedenskirche Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Ehrenfeld (Germany)
Kölner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens – Conductor
- Elena Harsanyi – Soprano l
- Annike Stegger – Soprano ll
- Elvira Bill – Alto
- Georg Poplutz – Tenor l
- Niek van den Dool – Tenor ll
- Thilo Dahlmann – Bass
- Antonio de Sarlo – Violin l
- Rafael Roth – Violin ll, Viola
- Amarilis Duenas Castán – violone
- Willi Kronenberg – Organ
Programme
Johann Balthasar Erben Confitebor tibi Domine for ATB, 2 violins and Basso continuo
Johann Balthasar Erben Ante Oculos tuos Domine for S, 3 violas and Basso continuo
Johann Balthasar Erben O Domine Jesu Christe adoro te for SATB and Basso continuo
Heinrich Schütz Musikalisches Exequien for SSAATTBB and Basso continuo
Tomás Luis de Victoria Lamentationes Hieremiae Prophete (from Officum Hebdomadae Sanctae)
Kölner Akademie
The ensemble seeks to bring out the composers’ intentions by using urtext editions, historically informed performance practice, and the proper number of performers for each work.
From the baroque to the present, the wide ranging repertoire from this unique ensemble under the artistic direction of its internationally renowned conductor Michael Alexander Willens, has been awarded numerous prizes. Known and lesser known composers are impressively represented by this period instrumental ensemble.
Performances at international festivals, live television and radio broadcasts in connection with their highly acclaimed CD recordings have made the Kölner Akademie well-known far beyond their national borders. Apart from works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, the Ensemble shows their broad musical scope in full detail, especially with their series of world premiere recordings by undeservedly forgotten composers.
The Kölner Akademie has recorded complete sets of piano concertos by Mozart, Beethoven, Weber and Mendelssohn with Ronald Brautigam for BIS records. All of these recordings have received outstanding international praise.
Michael Alexander Willens, music director of Die Kölner Akademie, studied conducting with John Nelson at the Juilliard School in New York, where he received B.M. and M.M. degrees. He has also studied with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood, as well as choral conducting with Paul Vorwerk. Willens’ broad experience has given him an unusual depth of background and familiarity with performance practice styles ranging from baroque, classical and romantic through to contemporary as well as jazz and pop music. Mr. Willens has conducted concerts at major concert halls and festivals in Europe, South
America, Asia, Iceland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Israel and the United States, receiving the highest critical praise: “The success of the whole owed in large measure to the uncommonly precise, yet never affected gestures of Michael Alexander Willens".
In addition to the standard repertoire, Michael Alexander Willens is dedicated to performing works by lesser-known contemporary American composers and has conducted several world premières, many of which have been broadcast live or filmed for television. He is also keenly interested in re-discovering music from the past and has released over 50 CDs featuring this repertoire. Several of these recordings have been nominated and received awards. They have all received outstanding international reviews, : “Willens achieves an impeccably stylish and enjoyable performance.” (Gramophone ) ,,...conductor Michael Alexander Willens exploits every bar of the score to fullest expressive effect. (Fanfare) Aside from Die Kölner Akademie, he has guest conducted orchestras in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Israel and Canada.
