Founded: 1957 - Stuttgart, Germany

The Figuralchor der Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart (Figural Choir of the Stuttgart Gedachtniskirche (Memorial Church) = FGKS) ensemble was founded in 1957 by Helmuth Rilling, immediately after assuming his position at the Evangelical Gedächtniskirche in Stuttgart in 1957. Already after a short time he succeeded in making it into one of the best choirs in a region of Swabia certainly not lacking in good choral tradition. The choir of approximately 50 members perceives its main function in the musical embellishment of the divine service and in the monthly concerts of sacred music (Abendmusik) given regularly in the Gedächtniskirche. In the course of these concerts the choir has sung the great works of the sacred music tradition: J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion (BWV 245) and Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248), and many of his cantatas and motets. In addition, the works of Heinrich Schütz and his contemporaries have also been performed. Many works by contemporary composers have given a special accent to the evening concerts in the Gedächtniskirche. Numerous performances in other cities and countries, radio productions - above all for the South German Radio (SDR) - and a series of recordings complete the picture of the Figural Choir of the Stuttgart Gedächtniskirche.

Helmuth Rilling directed the FGKS until the end of the 1970's. Since February 1991 Peter Bachofer is Kantor at Gedächtniskirche (church of remembrance) Stuttgart and director of the Figuralchor.

Even today, 45 years after the choir's foundation, its name still indicates its focus of work. On the one hand, performing in church services is a primary task. On the other hand, "Figuralgesang" means that the choir is working on demanding a capella music and oratorios. The musical spectrum extends from the early baroque (C. Monteverdi, H. Schütz) over the era of J.S. Bach and the Romantic period up to modern times.

Source: Stuttgart.de Website, English translation by Gerald Permantier (April 2006); Liner notes to the 3 CD's 'J.S. Bach: Das Orgelbüchlein' conducted by Helmuth Rilling (Cantate, 1995)
Contributed by Gerald Permantier [Webmaster - Paulus-Orchester Stuttgart] (April 2006); Aryeh Oron (August 2006)

Helmuth Rilling: Short Biography | Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart | Frankfurter Kantorei | Figuralchor der Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart | Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Recordings: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Cantatas: Edition Bachakademie - Vols. 1-20 | Edition Bachakademie - Vol. 9 | Edition Bachakademie - Vol. 60 | Arleen Augér sings Bach - conducted by Rilling | Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings Bach - conducted by Rilling
Other Vocal Works: BWV 232 - Rilling | BWV 243 - Rilling | BWV 244 - Rilling | BWV 245 - Rilling | BWV 248 - Rilling | Chorales - Rilling
Cantate Label: Recordings | General Discussions
Table of recordings by BWV Number

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