The magic of choral music

Without in any way detracting from the magic that surrounds choral singing: The fact that the shared singing experience has extremely positive effects on performers and listeners has now been proven by numerous scientific studies. A look behind the scenes of the Zürcher Sing-Akademie, a professional Swiss choir, reveals countless examples of what makes this musical genre and its cultivation so valuable to us.

Choral singing is community

Anne-Kristin Zschunke, a classically trained singer, has been part of the core of the Zurich ensemble and the board for several years. For her, choral singing is first and foremost about community: "It means experiencing emotions together, being able to share an experience with others. As a singer on stage during a concert, recognizing the reactions in the audience, seeing and feeling what our singing does to people is simply wonderful!" The moments in which she can build up a tangible closeness to the audience are particularly valuable for her as an artist.

But the choir members also have to get along with each other. For Florian Helgath - artistic director of the Zürcher Sing-Akademie - a good working atmosphere is essential in order to achieve an exceptional result. "Empathy and sensitivity are needed so that the singers feel free." After all, no instrument is as direct as the human voice, if only because singers always work with text.

The Zürcher Sing-Akademie is an extremely flexible ensemble that brings a wide variety of repertoire to the stage. For Yves Brühwiler, bass, one of the choir's great advantages: "There is so much good music! Sometimes we sing a cappella in an intimate, almost family setting, other times with a large orchestra, well-known soloists and conductors. Every project is new and unique. So not only does the work remain exciting, but the result is always fresh and lively."

In cooperation with various orchestras, the singers of the Zürcher Sing-Akademie are not only on tour within Switzerland, the Swiss ensemble has also earned an excellent reputation abroad. "Of course, it is primarily important for us to cultivate choral music within Switzerland," says Franziska Brandenberger, the ensemble's PR manager. However, the international concert activities, CD recordings on renowned labels and collaboration with major conductors and orchestras are also a way of showing the local audience: "What you hear in our concerts is of distinction and quality."

Fall season 2023

The ensemble has two major projects planned for the fall season. A program of romantic works entitled "Herzgedanken", which also focuses on some lesser-known composers from Switzerland, will be performed in September. The choir can be heard sometimes a cappella, sometimes with piano accompaniment, some pieces are only sung by a delicate female choir, some by a powerful male choir. Such a program is an opportunity for conductor Florian Helgath to challenge his choir, but of course also to let it shine with pieces of music that suit his singers best.

In October, one of the great choral symphonic works is on the program: A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. The special thing about this performance is that it will take place in cooperation with the Orchestra La Scintilla from Zurich Opera House. A romantic composition interpreted by a historically informed orchestra? "I'm really looking forward to the transparency of the instruments and the creative possibilities that the orchestra brings with it," says Helgath. For Anne-Kristin Zschunke, the Brahms Requiem will be a very special project for other reasons. "You go through grief and its various emotions very directly, but ultimately experience a metamorphosis towards so much hope and consolation. This work makes it tangible that death is nothing terrible or bad, but is part of life - grief, on the other hand, can be resolved or transformed!"

Concert dates

THOUGHTS OF THE HEART
September 14, 7:30 p.m. - Lenzburg Castle
September 15, 7:30 p.m. - Florhof Zurich
September 16, 7.30 p.m. - Rudolf Steiner School Wetzikon

A CHORAL CELEBRATION
October 19, 7:30 p.m.-Tonhalle Zurich

BRAHMS REQUIEM
October 20, 7:30 p.m. - Tonhalle Zurich
October 21, 7:30 p.m. - Stadtcasino Basel
October 22, 11:00 a.m. - French Church Bern

sing-akademie.ch