Oh, Christmas Tree!

Trailer for Die Singphoniker´s CD "Oh, Christmas Tree!"

Tauben vergiften im Park

Die Singphoniker singen Georg Kreisler "Tauben vergiften im Park" live in der BR-Abendschau vom 20. Juli 2015

Die Singphoniker, six talented German male singers, love to perform in concert and they love 19th century vocal chamber music, and audiences and judges clearly enjoy listening to them follow their hearts! Here we are treated to 23 such works by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847). All are delightful, but some particular favorites are "Turkisches Schenkenlied," "Sommerlied," "Liebe und Wein," "Wanderlied," "Trinklied," "Abschiedstafel,""Jagdgesang," "Lob der Trunkenheit," and "Worauf kommt es uberall an." Beautiful, rarely-performed material, sung with spirit and panache by one of the world's finest male sextets.

Songlist: Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847), The Part Songs for Male Voices:, Sechs Lieder fur vier Mannerstimmen op. 50, Zwei geistliche Chore fur Mannerstimmen op. 115, Erstaz fur Unbestand op. posth., View Lieder fur vierstimmigen Mannerchor op. 75, Nachtgesang op. posth., View Lieder fur vierstimmigen Mannerchor op. 120, Lieb und Hoffnung, Jagerlied, Lob der Trunkenheit, Lob des Weines, Worauf kommt es uberall an

The six German men who call themselves Die Singphoniker are virtuosos who specialize in very difficult pieces, from Gregorian chant to the Avantgarde, in this case bringing us some rarely-heard works of Romantic European music, partsongs by Richard Strauss and Max Reger. New interpreters of vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the group's success is measured in many awards and rave reviews: its last five CDs have received prizes. Included are 20 pieces, favorites are "Frohlich im Maien," "Hut du dich!," "Liebe op. 42,1," and Der Brauttanz op. 45,3" by Strauss; and "Liebchens Bote," Frohsinn op. 38,5," "Hochsommernacht op. 83,5" and "Minnelied op. 83,7" by Reger. Difficult, eclectic choral music, effortlessly and beautifully performed.

Songlist: Vor den Turen, Traumlicht, Frohlich im Maien, Hut du dich!, Der Gutzgauch, Liebe, Tummel dich, gut's Weinlein, Schwabische Erbschaft, Lied der Freundschaft, Der Brauttanz, Max Reger:, Liebchens Bote, Ausfahrt, Wie ist doch die Erde so schon, Frohsinn, Hell ins Fenster, Lieblich hat sich gesellet, Hochsommernacht, Ein gantz neu Schelmweys, Minnelied, Abschied

Focussing on little-known and rarely performed Romantic European vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the 6 men of Singphoniker bring us 12 difficult works by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868), and two by Franz Schubert, "La Pastorella" and "Der Gondelfahrer." Some favorites are "Chant funebre" (which includes some drums), "La Notte di Santo Natale," (with piano), "Choeur de chasseurs democrates," "L'invito," "La Danza," "Un Sou," and "Overture Guillaume Tell" (with piano). It's very clear, especially in this last cut, with the addition of silly sound effects, that the group is having big fun on stage and not taking themselves or the material too seriously. Good stuff!

Songlist: Preghiera, Chant funebre, La Notte di Santa Natale, Toast pour le nouvel an, Choeur de chasseus democrates, Overture - Il barbiere di Siviglia, La Pastorella, Der Gondelfahrer, I Gondolieri, Overture - La gazza ladra, L'invito, La Danza, Un Sou, Overture - Guillaume Tell

The German Die Singphoniker emerged from the Music Academy of Munich in 1980. These six educated fellows were enchanted by the Comedian Harmonists, who preceded them as one of Germany's most popular vocal harmony groups; Die Singphoniker sound much like them (and bear more than a passing resemblance to England's King's Singers, as well). The sextet's scholarship led them to the works of Schubert, Lasso, Mendelssohn and others, and has resulted in many recordings through the years. This particular CD takes as its theme the "serenade," a song performed to express love for another. From this departure point, songs as disparate as "Paper Dolls" and Saint-Saens' "Serenade d'Hiver" are devoted companions; whether a madrigal ("Bon Jour Mon Coeur, " Lasso), or a standard ("Serenade In Blue," Warren), every track is impeccable. Three of the songs are accompanied by piano.

Songlist: Paper Doll, Liebeslied im Garten, Bon Jour Mon Coeur, Standchen, Til There Was You, Derenade d'Hiver, Peramata, Serenade in blue, Minnelied, Tu Sai Madonna Mia, You and Me, Matona Mia Cara, Es Fuhrt Kein and'rer Weg Zur Seeligkeit, Standchen, Andenken, Zu irh!, Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand, Dankenshon