ICB, the IFCM Magazine

Choral Singing in the Czech Republic (Page 43)

Prof. Jiří Kolář, Honorary President of the UČPS

The art of choral singing, be it in the realm of composition or of interpretation, has always ranked among the national treasures of Czech culture, amongst the strongest musical traditions in our country. In this context we might mention the world famous works of B. Smetana, A. Dvořák, V. Novák, L. Janáček, J. B. Foerster or B. Martinů, as well as the riches of our contemporary choral literature, represented by the compositions of P. Eben, I. Hurník, Z. Lukáš, K. Slavický, O. Mácha, J. Hanuš and many others. Their creation has exerted very considerable influence on the artistic achievements of Czech choirs, among them, in the past, the internationally renowned vocal associations of male and female teachers from Prague and from Moravia (PSPU, PSMU), or a number of choirs founded in the postwar years, which regularly won – and still win – the highest marks at international choral competitions and festivals. Standing for all children’s choirs we might name Kühn’s Children’s Choir Prague, the Bambini di Praga or Severáček Liberec, who are well known even abroad, and among the women’s choirs Foerster’s Chamber Choir Association Prague, Iuventus Paedagogica Prague, the Choral Association of Female Teachers of Ostrava, as well as the excellent academic choirs, mixed choirs as well as women’s choirs.

From 1969 the choirs of the entire region of the Czech Republic have been united and represented by the Association of Czech Choirs (UČPS). At the time of writing, the UČPS is looking after nearly 1100 choral groupings, among them a number of ‘choir schools’ with several preparatory departments, concert choirs, and, attached to them, youth choirs and sometimes also mixed choirs consisting of parents, offering them professional assistance and support in the organisation and realisation of choral festivals and competitions (in the course of the year, these amount to around fifty nation-wide and fifteen international events) and with the development of cultural life in the regions. The UČPS dedicates particular care to the choral singing of children and young people (the annual festival of mixed grammar school choirs Gymnasia Cantant, which by now has taken place sixteen times, has already raised the standards achieved in this category to the excellent European level). By organising composers’ competitions and disseminating information about new works by contemporary composers, the UČPS strives to support new Czech choral creativity. It also co-operates with foreign institutions, setting up contacts between Czech and foreign choirs, keeping detailed records about the entire Czech choral movement (choirs, choral conductors, choral festivals, choral competitions, choral concerts, etc), and maintaining the comprehensive informative website České sbory and the professional magazine Cantus with its regular sheet music inserts.

The UČPS supplies the suggestions for the awards of nation-wide prizes for choral conductors (the B. Smetana, F. Lýsek, and F. Vach prizes, as well as the UČPS “Junior Choral Conductor” prize) and for the similar regional awards which serve to acknowledge outstanding, meritorious and successful activity as a choral conductor.

If we look at the development of mutual recognition and co-operation within the framework of the EU, choral singing (and particularly that of children and young people) is the most widespread form of amateur artistic activity and thus of immeasurable and still undervalued importance. We believe that the Czech choral movement will perform an important role in the process of achieving increased mutual, musical understanding.

Der Chorgesang in der Tschechischen Republik

By: Jiří Kolář

On: April 15, 2013

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

Prof. Jiří Kolář, Ehrenpräsident der UČPS

Die Chorkunst, im Bereich der Komposition oder Interpretation, gehörte immer zu den nationalen Kostbarkeiten der tschechischen Kultur, zu den stärksten Musiktraditio…Read More →

... und Tragen Edlen Samen

By: T.J. Harper

On: April 15, 2013

In: Repertoire

With: 0 Comments

Eine Erkundung geistlicher Chorsätze von Komponistinnen aus Nordeuropa

von T.J.Harper, DMA

Im Laufe der Geschichte wurden die komplexeren Aktivitäten wieder und wieder definiert, m…Read More →

Die Entwicklung des Chorsingens in Malta

2013-04-15

By: Joseph Vella Bondin

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Ein Geschichtlicher Überblick

Joseph Vella Bondin, Musikwissenschaftler und Sänger

Bis Ende des 2. Weltkriegs (1939-45) war Maltas traditionelle Beschäftigung mit Musik im Wesentlichen auf zwei…Read More →

Vorstellung Einiger Guter Tschechischer Chöre

2013-04-15

By: Marek Valášek

On: April 15, 2013

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

Marek Valášek, Chorleiter und Dozent

Der Kuhn Kinderchor

[caption id="attachment_1525" align="alignright" width="200"]Read More →

Bucaramanga und Zapatoca Chorfestival, Santander, Kolumbien

2013-04-15

By: Oscar Escalada

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Oscar Escalada, Komponist, Arrangeur, Chorleiter und Musikwissenschaftler

Maestro José Antonio Rincón und ich wurden von Maestro Leonel Otero Cabarique, Präsident der künstlerischen Vereinigung Gustavo Gómez Ard…Read More →

2nd Vietnam International Choir Festival & Competition (Huế, 12.-16. Dezember 2012)

2013-04-15

By: Henri Pompidor

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Chorgesang in Asien und Südostasien mit neuer Dynamik und Vitalität

Von Henri Pompidor, Chorleiter und Gesangspädagoge

Mitreißende Begeisterung, teilendes Miteinander, Freude, Farbenpracht sin…Read More →

Das Musikalische Bildungswesen und die Organisatorische Struktur von Chören in der Tschechischen Republik

2013-04-15

By: Martina Spiritová

On: April 15, 2013

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

Martina Spiritová, Chorleiterin und Lehrerin

Das musikalische Bildungswesen und die Art und Weise der Organisation von Chören in der Tschechischen Republik ähnelt den Systemen anderer europäischer Lä…Read More →

Die Kunst des Singens in einem Solistisch Besetzten Vokalensemble

2013-04-15

By: Jeffrey Sandborg

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral Technique

With: 0 Comments

ICB Interviews in Loser Folge

Jeffrey Sandborg, Leiter der Chorabteilung und Inhaber des George Emery Wade Lehrstuhls für Musik am Roanoke College

Das Hilliard Ensemble:

Interview mit …Read More →

A Carol for Christmas

2013-04-15

By: Graham Lack

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Die King’s Singers Stiftung ruft den ersten Kompositions-Wettbewerb für Weihnachtslieder ins Leben

Graham Lack, composer & ICB Consultant Editor

Mit jedem neuen Wettbewerb geht ein…Read More →

Rokudan und Gregorianisches Credo

2013-04-15

By: Tatsuo Minagawa

On: April 15, 2013

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Tatsuo Minagawa, Musikwissenschaftler

Vorwort

Man geht allgemein davon aus, dass westliche Musik in Japan um die Zeit Einzug hielt, als die Nation sich zu Beginn der Meiji-Ära in der zweiten H…Read More →

Posts navigation

Previous 1 … 42 43 44 … 79 Next