Maennerstimmen Basel

Maennerstimmen Basel

Knickerbockers, a pair of braces, and corduroy jackets: the antiquated look of the Männerstimmen Basel choristers is in stark contrast to the youth of these lads and their fresh performances.

Aged between 18-32 years, they have impressed audiences and juries in their home country, Switzerland, as well as abroad with their musical performances. For example, they have won Gold medals at the World Choir Games, the Olympic games of choral singing, in Riga (Latvia 2014) and Cincinnati (Ohio 2012), and also the prizes for the best Swiss choir and the best male choir at the Montreux Choral Festival (Switzerland 2012). Moreover, the Männerstimmen Basel were recognized with the "Fleischmann International Trophy" (Ireland 2011) for the best interpretation of a contemporary piece.

This energetic choir combines passion and ease, both on and off stage. Having a laugh together is just as important as rehearsing and performing. Thanks to the sponsorship by a local brewery in their hometown Basel, the choristers' supply of amber nectar is ever flowing.

In concert, however, everyone is focused and attentive to the instructions of conductor Oliver Rudin and vice-conductor David Rossel. The choir performs a large repertoire of sacred and secular music from all epochs along with folk songs, and contemporary classical literature with ardour and style. The two conductors carefully select the pieces to satisfy the choir's high standards. Each year, the choir awards a commission to well-known contemporary composers (e.g. Rudolf Jaggi, Gion Antoni Derungs, Hans-Martin Linde, Javier Hagen). Ready for any challenge, the choir also revisits unknown and long forgotten music.

Even though the registered society Männerstimmen Basel (literally translated to "Men's voices Basel") was established only 7 years ago, the choir's musical roots reach far beyond that, as many of the members have a past in diverse choral ensembles. The choir was founded by former choristers of the boys' choir Basel (Knabenkantorei Basel) in 2008. Since then, the choir has performed all over Switzerland, in Estonia, Latvia, Macedonia, Ireland, Slovenia, and the United States.

(DE) Volkhorn CD-Taufe

Bereits zum dritten Mal galt es bei den Männerstimmen Basel eine neue CD in feierlichem Taufakt dem Publikum zu präsentieren. Im Jahr 2014 hatte sich der Chor mit dem Projekt „Volkhorn“ ein reiches Repertoire von Volkslieder aus dem Herzen Europas aufs Programm geschrieben und diese auch bei gut besuchten Konzerten und Bummeln durch blühende Landschaften in Basel, Männedorf und dem Appenzell zum Besten gegeben.

(DE) Appenzell Rückblick

Das Appenzellerland gilt gemeinhin als der Inbegriff der Schweizer Idylle. Nichts lag also näher, als unser volkstümliches Programm „Volkhorn“ ebendort aufzuführen, zumal uns der Appenzellische Chorverband nach unserem Auftritt am Schweizerischen Chorwettbewerb in Aarau (November 2013) eingeladen hatte.

(DE) Konzertreise Baltikum 2014, Fazit

Einmal mehr haben wir neue Freundschaften geschlossen, bestehende Verbindungen gestärkt, unbekannte Orte und Traditionen schätzen gelernt, Freude geteilt, das Publikum unterhalten, Juroren überzeugt, unsere Heimat Basel und die Schweiz in die Welt hinaus getragen, und unseren Beitrag zum kulturellen Leben geleistet.