Category Archives: Choruses

Kommers 2014 part 1

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The Kommers competition for 2014 was held on Saturday June 21 at Madison Turner Hall. The competition began at 11:00; seven choirs performed – the Schwaben Maennerchor and Milwaukee Liedertafel performed together.

After the performances, we had a catered dinner.

Here are some photos – click on the image to see a larger version.

Choral Concert – Die Erste Walpurgisnacht (Mendessohn)

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The University of Wisconsin Choral Union and UW Chamber Orchestra will present a concert containing two works, Dona Nobis Pacem by the English composer of Welsh descent Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Die Erste Walpurgisnacht by German composer Felix Mendelssohn. The concert will be presented on Saturday November 23rd (7:30 pm) and Sunday November 24th (2:00 pm) in UW Mills Hall, Mosse Humanities Building. Please call the School of Music’s Concert Line (608) 265-2787 for tickets. You can also purchase tickets on line at the UW Choral Union web site. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $8 for students/seniors.

Die erste Walpurgisnacht (The First Walpurgis Night) is a secular cantata for soloists and choir composed by Felix Mendelssohn. The words are taken from a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The text involves Druids in the Harz mountains The piece is about 36 minutes in length. Sung in German.

The sections are titled:

  • Es lacht der Mai (May is in full bloom) Tenor & chorus of Druids & people.
  • Könnt ihr so verwegen handeln? (Could you be so rash, so daring?) Alto, old woman, & chorus of wives of the people.
  • Wer Opfer heut zu bringen scheut (Whoever fears to sacrifice) Baritone, priest, & chorus of Druids.
  • Verteilt euch, wackre Männer, hier (Divide your forces, valiant men) Chorus of Druid watchmen.
  • Diese dummen Pfaffenchristen (Christians and their priests are witless) Bass, watchman, & chorus of watchmen.
  • Kommt mit Zacken und mit Gabeln (Come with prongs and pitchforks) Chorus of Druids and people.
  • So weit gebracht, dass wir bei Nacht (It’s come so far that now by night) Baritone, priest, & chorus of Druids and people.
  • Hilf, ach hilf mir, Kriegsgeselle (Help, oh help me, comrade) Tenor & chorus of Christian watchmen.
  • Die Flamme reinigt sich vom Rauch (The flame is purified by smoke) Baritone, priest, & chorus of Druids and people.

Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) by Ralph Vaughan Williams was composed in 1936 to mark the hundredth anninversary of the Huddersfield Choral Society. The texts are taken from Walt Whitman poems, speeches and excerpts from The Bible. It was intended to be a plea for peace. It is scored for soprano and baritone soloists with chorus and orchestra. Sung in English.

References
“Die erste Walpurgisnacht”, p. 226 in The World of the Oratorio, Kurt Pahlen. Portland, OR: Amadeus Press, 1990.
“Die Erste Walprugisnacht”, retrieved from Wikipedia, accessed September 24, 2013. “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_erste_Walpurgisnacht”
“Dona Nobis Pacem”, retrieved from Wikipedia, accessed September 24, 2013. “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dona_nobis_pacem_(Vaughan_Williams)”

St. Thomas Boys Choir of Leipzig, Germany

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The St. Thomas Boys Choir of Leipzig, Germany will be performing at

Luther Memorial Church, 1021 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin, on

Sunday, November 3, 2013.

The choir was founded in 1212, and was led by J.S. Bach from 1723 until

his death in 1750. The group last appeared in the US on the East coast

in 2000.

Luther Memorial Church can accommodate approximately 650 people to hear

this very special concert.

26th Annual Holiday Concert – Milwaukee United German Choruses

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Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

Christ King Parish, 2604 N. Swan Boulevard, Wauwatosa, WI (92nd at Center Street)

Tickets: $8.00 Adults, $1.00 Children under 12 (Includes Cake and Coffee/Milk)

Participating Choruses:

Milwaukee Liedertafel, Milwaukee Damenchor, Milwaukee Liederkranz, Deutsche Schule, Schwaben Männerchor, Milwaukee D.A.N.K. Chor, and Pommersche Spaeldeel Freistadt…and a visit from Santa

Tickets can be purchased from all singers or at the door. For more information, call Heinz @ 262.782-2353

 

 

Männerchor Sings at Milwaukee Damenchor Konzert

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The Madison Männerchor were the featured guests at the Milwaukee Damenchor’s 23rd Annual Conference on Sunday, October 21, 2012.

Stiftungsfest 2010

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MMC singing at Essen Haus Madison February 13, 2010

MMC singing at Essen Haus Madison February 13, 2010

We had a fine turnout tonight for our 158th anniversary Stiftungsfest at Essen Haus, Madison. (February 13, 2010) We sang a few songs (using our nice song binders – thanks, Tim) and made it a challenge for the wait staff to take orders!

The spirits and conviviality are evident from these pictures.

MMC President Dick Blatter and Essen Haus owener Bob Worm

MMC President Dick Blatter and Essen Haus owner Bob Worm

Fom left to right: Klaus Bodenstein, Renata Essert, Helmut Seaman, Eric Walke and Sharon Ruch

Fom left to right: Klaus Bodenstein, Renata Essert, Helmut Seaman, Eric Walke and Sharon Ruch

Newest member, Jim Schmidt (on left) and Associate Member Erwin Jabs

Newest member, Jim Schmidt (on left) and Associate Member Erwin Jabs

From left-to-right Ellie Hein, Paul Essert, Elizabeth Bodenstein

From left-to-right Ellie Hein, Paul Essert, Elizabeth Bodenstein

From an MMC Fan in Arizona

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Here’s a great email to share:

Hello Tim and all members! Just wanted to let you know that you have some new fans down here in Tucson Arizona!!! I took your CD with me to several Christmas parties and they loved it! You guys sound awesome! I grew up listening to the Maennerchor when I was a kid. My father sent me the CD and I was amazed – names like Clasen, Essert, Hartwig, Seaman, and the Bodensteins?!? WOW!!! I can’t believe they are still together and going strong! It’s wonderful – keep it up – it sounds great! I enjoyed hearing the old favorites and I hope to get back to Madison someday to see a concert in person. Happy Holidays to everyone!!! Sincerely, Kirsten Bausch (Walter’s daughter!) …….LEBE, LIEBE, LACHE !!!