|
In 1960, organist and conductor Jean Wolfs founded the Maastrichts Kamerkoor. In 1960, Jean Wolfs was also the founder of the Stichting Pro Organo Maastricht, which still organizes the prestigious L’Europe & l’Orgue festival annually. The choir quickly gained a reputation with performances of Renaissance and Baroque works. In 1966, the name was changed to Camera Musica Mosana. In 1990, artistic direction passed into the hands of the Belgian choir conductor and composer Ludo Claesen. Since 2005, the choir has used the name Kamerkoor Maastricht. In October 2023, Ludo Claesen was succeeded by Hans Leenders.
Kamerkoor Maastricht is a small mixed choir with a core group of singers. The choir is led by Hans Leenders. The slender and expressive choral sound comes into its own particularly in Baroque music and contemporary repertoire.
The choir presents an annual program featuring both old and new works. The repertoire includes works from the French and English choral traditions as well as works by contemporary composers, such as the composer and our conductor Hans Leenders and former conductor Ludo Claesen. A tradition during Holy Week is the well-attended performance of J.S. Bach's Johannes-Passion BWV 245.
The choir consists largely of professional musicians. Kamerkoor Maastricht won awards at the internationale Korenfestival in Den Haag: cum laude for sacred repertoire, gold for secular repertoire, and was also named the best Chamber Choir in the Netherlands in 2006. Kamerkoor Maastricht performs regularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Kamerkoor Maastricht receives a subsidy from the Municipality of Maastricht. In addition, sponsors are indispensable in realizing our ambitions. The choir also fulfills a highly valued role in educating students at the Conservatorium Maastricht, who can gain experience with the choir as conductors or soloists; the choir regularly participates in transition and final exams. |
