Recordings/Discussions
Background Information
Performer Bios

Poet/Composer Bios

Additional Information

Biographies of Performers: Main Page | 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 | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner


Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben (Choir)

Originally founded: 1900 - Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Re-founded: 1946 - Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben looks back on the history of nine decades. Paul von Lechler (1849-1925), one of the most striking Swabian entrepreneur personalities of his time, founded the choir on his own private initiative in 1900, inspired by the famous boys’ choirs of Leipzig (Thomanerchor Leipzig) and Dresden (Dresdner Kreuzchor) and the Berlin ‘Kurrende’, all of which he has encountered during his travels.

The new choir soon enjoyed an excellent reputation in Stuttgart community life and musical circles and, after its re-foundation in 1946 by Professor Gerhard Wilhelm, its long-standing director, became internationally recognized. Eckhard Weyand, musical director of the choir since 1987, carries on the tradition.

In 1971 after various provisional arrangements, the choir was given its own house in Stuttgart. This building fulfills all requirements necessary for the choral work, which is carried out here with much idealism. The 8- to 14-year-old boys and the young men, who mostly belonged to the choir as boys, often have to accept the burden of long journeys to choir practice or to performances after their school work is done.

The Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben usually performs in churches and concert halls in Baden-Württemberg, but concert tours to other parts of Germany and abroad take place regularly. In recent years the choir has performed with great success in Israel, France, Poland, Switzerland and in the Soviet Union (Riga).

The whole spectrum of European Sacred music including motets, cantatas and oratorios is represented in the choir’s repertoire. In spite of frequent concert activities it has always remained a matter of course for the Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben to sing regularly at church services to the propagation and glory of God.

Musical Directors:

Gerhard Wilhelm (1946-1987)
Eckhard Weyand (1987-1992)
Hanns-Friedrich Kunz (1992-2010)
Rainer Johannes Homburg (April 2010-Present)



Sources:
Liner notes to the 2-CD album ‘J.S. Bach: St. John Passion’ conducted by Eckhard Weyand (Hänssler, 1998)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (June 2001, February 2022) & Stefan Gref (August 2001)

Gerhard Wilhelm: Short Biography | Ensembles: Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben | Collegium Musicum des WDR
Bach Discography:
Recordings of Vocal Works | BWV 244 - K. Münchinger

Rainer Johannes Homburg: Short Biography | Ensembles: Marien-Kantorei Lemgo | Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben | Handel's Company
Bach Discography
Recordings of Vocal Works

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Kay Johannsen

Choir

[V-1] (2017, Video): BWV 244

August Langenbeck

Choir

BWV 248/1-3

Karl Münchinger

Choir

BWV 80, BWV 140, BWV 244, BWV 245

Eckhard Weyand

Choir

BWV 245

Links to other Sites

Seiten der Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben
Die Website der Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben
Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben
The Fan Page of the Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben Germany


Biographies of Performers: Main Page | 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 | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner




 

Back to the Top


Last update: Tuesday, February 08, 2022 06:03