Hartwig Eschenburg (Choral Conductor)

Born: 1934 - Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany

The German choral conductor, Hartwig Eschenburg, studied at the Ev. Kirchenmusikschule in Halle/Saale from 1953 to 1957, finishing with A-Exam.

From 1957 to 1960 Hartwig Eschenburg served as church musician at the Stiftskirche in Bützow; from 1960 to 2000 he served as church musician at the St.-Johannis-Kirche in Rostock. From 1987 to 2000 he was a member of the board of directors of the Neuen Bachgesellschaft (NBA). In 1985 he directed the Bach Festival of the Neuen Bachgesellschaft. From 1990 to 1999 he was chairman of the Musikrates für die Hansestadt Rostock and moderator of the Runden Tisches Kultur. Since October 1999 he holds a training post for choir directing, choir singing and interpretation of oratorio works at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock.

Hartwig Eschenburg managed the St.-Johannis-Kantorei between 1960 and 2000, developing it from the original choir with 17 members to its current state of 5 choirs with over 300 active singers. Main stations: 1960: appointment to director of St.-Johannis-Kantorei (originally founded in 1948) with 17 members, establishment of the Großen Kurrende; 1962: allocation of the Kirchenchor as Choralchor (for church service) and the Figuralchor (for performance of oratorios); 1964: establishment of the Rostocker Motettenchor; 1968: establishment of the Kleinen Kurrende; 1977: beginning of the monthly "Offenen Singens" (open singing) for former choir members and other older singers; transformation of the Choralchor into a pure Jugendchor (young choir); 1983: establishment of the Kantatenorchesters der St.-Johannis-Kirche.

In addition Hartwig Eschenburg has made concert tours with the choirs of the St.-Johannis-Kantorei in Germany and abroad, participated in radio and TV programmes and recordings, directed singing weeks, guest conducted and taught.

Hartwig Eschenburg received the following honours: 1974 - Appointment as the director of church music, 1988 - Kulturpreis of the Stadt Rostock, Kulturpreis of the Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 1998 - Bundesverdienstkreuz (Order of Merit), 2000 - Entry in the honour book of the Hansestadt Rostock, 2001 - Honour Professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock.

Source: St.-Johannis-Kantorei Rostock Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (January 2006)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2006)

Hartwig Eschenburg: Short Biography | Rostocker Motettenchor | Recordings of Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

St.-Johannis-Kantorei Rostock: KMD Prof. Hartwig Eschenburg [German]