Brahms' Requiem on Remembrance Day—The Kreuzchor Brings Comfort

With a moving performance on Remembrance Day, the Dresden Kreuzchor honored the victims of past and present wars while also offering comfort. Brahms had originally conceived his Requiem as a source of solace for the bereaved. In observance of the memorial day, the audience was asked to refrain from applauding. Afterward, however, the audience, singers, and musicians in the packed Kreuzkirche in Dresden remained silent for several minutes.

Magdalena Lucjan from Poland took over the solo part for the French soprano Elsa Benoit, who was unable to perform due to illness. Baritone Krešimir Stražanac from Croatia had already participated in last year’s performance of the Requiem. In addition to the Ensemble Vocal Concert Dresden, the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra participated in the concert. Kreuzkantor Martin Lehmann served as musical director. The “German Requiem” has been an integral part of the Kreuzchor’s tradition for decades.

A Full Schedule for the Kreuzchor During Advent

An intensive phase—the Advent season—will soon begin for the famous boys’ choir with a tradition spanning more than 800 years. On December 25, the choir will open the Dresden Striezelmarkt. Three days later, an Advent tour begins, taking the choir to Arnstadt, Gotha, Magdeburg, and Neubrandenburg, among other places, through December 5. Starting December 11, the first three parts of Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” will be performed several times. On December 18, the choir will once again perform at the stadium of second-division soccer club Dynamo Dresden for the grand Advent concert.

Just in time for Advent, the Kreuzchor is releasing a new Christmas album on the Berlin Classics label. Titled “Lux Natalis,” it combines Nordic and contemporary choral music with traditional Christmas carols. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and via streaming starting November 20. Under the direction of Kreuzkantor Lehmann and in collaboration with the Capell Brass Quintet, the recording is intended to lead listeners musically from darkness into light: Nordic sounds meet works by older masters and familiar Christmas classics, according to the announcement.

Getting in the festive spirit and touching hearts

“I wanted to make an album that speaks above all of light. Because in our society, the idea that we are currently living in dark times is becoming entrenched. I believe that, especially now, it’s important for Christmas as a celebration—but also the meaning behind the celebration—to begin to shine,” Lehmann explained. “We hope that the balance between motets, Advent hymns, and Christmas carols will get people in the festive spirit, but also touch each person’s heart individually.”