The Sächsisches Vocalensemble (The Saxon Vocal Ensemble = SVW) was founded in Dresden in 1996 by Matthias Jung. Meeting early on with exceptional critical acclaim, the ensemble was engaged, and in the first year of its existence was invited to perform in broadcast concerts by the Mitteldeutschen Rundfunk and the Deutschland Radio Berlin.
The repertoire of the ensemble focuses on music from the time of Heinrich Schütz to J.S. Bach, and often features seldom-heard works by Saxon composers. In order to achieve historically appropriate interpretations, the size of the ensemble varies between 18 and 28 singers depending on the work being performed. In addition, the ensemble dedicates itself to the performance of 20th century music. The choir has premiered a number of modern works, particularly during the Dresdner Tage Für Zeitgenossische Musik. The Vocal Ensemble cooperates regularly with prominent German and Czech Baroque instrumental ensembles. In 2001 they performed J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor (BWV 232) in Verdun Cathedral, together with the Leipziger Barockorchester.
They achieved international critical recognition with their 1999 recording of Motets by Heinrich Schütz, appearing on the Tacet label. This recording became a CD recommendation of Klassik Heute Magazine. Also under the Tacet label is the 2001 recording of the Motets of J.S. Bach, which also received a recommendation. In the same year the Cantate label released a recording of the choirs' performance of early, unpublished cantatas by Georg Philipp Telemann. |