Laurenscantorij (Choir) - Short History

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Laurenscantorij (Choir)
Founded: 1966 - Rotterdam, Holland
Since its foundation in 1966, the Laurenscantorij has been the church choir of the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Its mission was to put life into church music after World War II, while the church was being rebuilt after it was destroyed in the war. Today, the Laurenscantorij is an independent ensemble with a threefold function: to perform a Bach cantata every month, to give special concerts and to participate in regular services. From its foundation, the choir has been conducted by Barend Schuurman. Its members are trained amateur singers. The number of concerts has considerably increased over the last decade, reaching some 15 performances a year. These concerts have given a first podium to many young singers, many of whom are renowned soloists today (Nico van der Meel, Robert Holl, Wilke te Brummelstroete). The Laurenscantorij has sung practically all the major works of J.S. Bach, contemporaries and ancestors like Monteverdi, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and Heinrich Schütz. Its repertoire consists of works ranging from the 16^th until the 20^th century. Among its performances are the C minor Mass and Requiem of Mozart, the Deutsches Requiem of Brahms, the Mass and Cantata of Stravinsky, the Songs of Ariel of Martin, and works of contemporary Dutch composers. The Laurenscantorij was been invited to concerts in Leipzig, Dresden, Paris, Brussel, Antwerp and Clermont-Ferrand. It performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Source: Laurenscantorij (October 2003) Contributed by Arjen van Gijssel (October 2003)
Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works
Conductor	As	Works
Leo van Doeselaar	Choir	BWV 169
Links to other Sites
Laurenscantorij (Official Website) [Dutch]

Short Biographies: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Explanation | Acronyms

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Last update: ýJuly 2, 2008 ý19:45:30