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Born: July 25, 1914 - Barmen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Died: April 12, 1988 - Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
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The German conductor, church musician and teacher, Helmut Kahlhöfer, attended the Wupperfelder Oberrealschule (today Carl-Duisberg-Gymnasium) and studied later in Cologne and Salzburg, organ, piano and conducting.
Helmut Kahlhöfer began his work as a church musician in 1937 in Cologne. In 1946 he became Kantor of the Evangelisch-Reformierten Gemeinde Barmen-Gemarke at the Immanuelskirche. The same year he founded the Kantorei Barmen-Gemarke Choir as the Choir of the Evangelist-Reformed Municipality of Wuppertal. During 41 years (until 1986 or 1987), his Choir became well-known mainly in their performances of Liturgical music. He performed with them not only in the regular church services, but also 20th century music and in the years 1983-1985 the Bach Triptych: Matthäus-Passion BWV 244, Johannes-Passion BWV 245 and Mass in B minor BWV 232. They made tours in the near and far countries, and recorded radio broadcasts and records.
In addition to leading the Kantorei Barmen-Gemarke, Helmut Kahlhöfer from 1965 was also Professor of music at the Folkwang-Hochschule in Essen. For his contribution to church music he was awarded in 1954 the title of Church Music Director
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