Andreas Reize appointed as Thomaskantor

Andreas Reize is an outstandingly talented musician. He presents a coherent concept for the future development of the St. Thomas Choir, has broad interpretative, musicological and theological knowledge and has great respect for the high office, the commission justifies its decision.

Andreas Reize was born in Solothurn in 1975. He studied church music at the music academies in Bern and Winterthur-Zurich. He completed a degree in historical performance practice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and a postgraduate course in orchestral conducting at the Lucerne University of Music. He also holds a concert diploma in organ, a teaching diploma in piano and a postgraduate degree in choral conducting.

Andreas Reize currently conducts the Cantus Firmus vocal ensemble and the Cantus Firmus consort orchestra on period instruments. He has been music director of the Waldegg Opera, director of the boys' choir Singknaben of St. Ursenkathedrale Solothurn since 2007, director of the Gabrielichor Bern and choir director of the Zurich Bach Choir since 2011 and principal guest conductor at the Theater Biel-Solothurn for early music since 2019.

Andreas Reize is to succeed Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz, whose contract with the City of Leipzig ends as agreed on June 30, 2021. He is scheduled to take up office in September 2021. The final decision of the city council is expected on December 16.