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The Kantorei St. Mauritius Hardegsen (= KSMH) was founded by its leader Gerhard Ropeter in 1976 as the Evangelischer Jugendchor Hardegsen. From the beginning, singing in the worship and the promotion of vocal talents were at the centre, an approach that is still valid. Currently there are approximately 150 children, adolescents and adults aged 1½ to 50 years in the weekly meetings of singers and musicians.
The main task of the KSMH is singing regularly in church services (about 12-times per year) and their musical development is linked with sophisticated theme programmes. Liturgical focus is given in the church-year to the Christvesper, the Christmette (with previous carols and motets - singing), the Good Friday Liturgy and the (Gregorian) celebration of Easter. In addition, they sing the widely popular light-songs.
The concerts are oriented at working mainly on choral works of J.S. Bach, and a-cappella literature of the Baroque and the 20th Century. Premieres and repeating performances have become a hallmark of the KSMH development. A special attention is given to the spiritual works of Baroque composer Reinhard Keiser (1679-1739). So the KSMH performed in 1997 Brockes-Passion, in 1998 the oratorio Der Siegende David and in 2001 the Christmas Oratorio Dialogus von der Geburt Christi by Reinhard Keiser for the first time after more than 250 years, and is now listed by many European and other broadcast stations. Through concerts at music festivals such as the Thüringer Bachwochen the Michael-Praetorius-Tagen in Creuzburg or the Rheinischen Clemens-August-Fest in Bonn, with CD recordings and radio programmes, the KSMH has made itself a name. |
