Hans Rehberg, a baritone and the Rundfunkchor Berlin’s cultural director, developed the choir for 41 years –
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His Gendarmenmarkt tower chamber shall be missed. The 4 porthole-style home windows within the fifth-floor octagonal room of the residence at 56 Charlottenstraße. He can see the German Cathedral’s dome from one and Apollo’s gable on the Konzerthaus roof from the opposite. Berlin has lots of sky over it.
For Hans Rehberg, having an expansive horizon in entrance of you and room for the viewer’s inquisitive look was important. That’s why he was keen to depart the Saxony-Anhalt village the place he was born in 1956 as quickly as he may. The lad who cherished classical music turned the dance corridor of his mother and father’ inn into an journey playground the place he acted out whole operas throughout his idyllic boyhood years. Schinne, a 400-person city within the Altmark, is a lifeless finish, nonetheless. A location on the street to the large, broad world you can’t even drive by. Undoubtedly inappropriate was that.
He doesn’t belong within the nation; he desires to reside in a serious metropolis.
Hans Rehberg initially relocated to Stendal, the next district city, with a view to take piano classes and keep in his aunt’s boarding home, which additionally served as a lodging for visiting performers from the native theater. Then to Leipzig to check singing, after which to Halle a der Saale to the particular music faculty. He desired to stay on this metropolis of commerce festivals. He joined the “Musikalische Komödie” choir after graduating, utilized for the primary job that opened up, and spent 5 years performing in operettas and musicals.
And actually preferred it. Berlin, the best city promise you may notice as a GDR citizen in your individual nation, was positioned 150 kilometers farther north. The 1981 modification was profitable as a result of the radio choir requested the baritone on the first audition.
“We'd by no means go to the radio ensembles since they at all times appear so somber as in the event that they have been already lifeless,” we used to say to one another throughout our research. Rehberg might chuckle wanting again as a result of this place shortly proved to be “paradise open Earth” when it comes to what you would accomplish there! Not simply “Countess Mariza” and “Die Fledermaus,” but in addition studio recordings from each style, appearances on tv, a cappella performances, and even radio dramas. And non permanent help with the big choral operas on Unter den Linden.
In 1925, the Rundfunkchor Berlin was established.
Marcel Koehler in a photograph
The wall fell down when the flexibility fanatic Hans Rehberg organized the muggen, or “musical occasional labor,” for himself and his colleagues after being elected to the board. A brand new choir director was required; fortunately, the suitable candidate was chosen from from our personal ranks somewhat than a do-it-yourselfer. Hans Rehberg hesitated briefly, requested that his spot within the group be stored open for him for a 12 months, then jumped proper into the brand new job. He additionally tried to be taught the basics of cultural administration on the Eisler College on the aspect. He loved the problem, stuffed his baritone spot within the choir, and developed as he accomplished the duties.
Pure trial and error, however it's efficient.
These years following the reunification have been exhilarating, filled with possibilities and freedom. Within the western aspect of town, the place there was simply the Rias Chamber Choir, the radio choir, which had a large membership, discovered itself unexpectedly in excessive demand. One efficiency adopted one other, however the future was hazy. Ultimately, it took 4 organizations—the Bund, Berlin, the SFB, and Deutschlandfunk—working laboriously as a crew to save lots of 4 ensembles that have been in threat of disappearing as a result of reorganization of the broadcasting trade. The 2 Berlin skilled choirs joined the German Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Symphony Orchestra beneath the ROC’s cover of safety in 1994.
And it paid off that early consideration to hone the assorted creative profiles was taken by Hans Rehberg and his administration colleague from the Rias Chamber Choir. The radio choir carried out the large choral symphonic items, whereas the chamber choir performed music that was each very previous and fairly new. It was nearly two instances as large, with 83 members, as the same ensembles of West German radio stations. Employees reductions have been inevitable in the course of the changeover to the brand new ROC, however Rehberg finally succeeded in preserving 64 everlasting positions.
The refrain ought to function greater than only a footnote.
British conductor Robin Gritton took over as chief conductor in 1993 after Dietrich Knothe departed, bringing with him new approaches. His successor was his countryman Simon Halsey, whose first-name cousin and childhood good friend Rattle in the end prolonged the Rundfunkchor an invite to carry out regularly with the Berlin Philharmonic. Scandinavian choirs have been chosen by Claudio Abbado as a result of to their crisp, chilly “Carrara marble tone,” as Rehberg places it. Alternatively, his refrain impresses with its heat and velvety tone.
Success introduced on extra needs. Excursions to Japan and the USA have been thrilling, however there was a bigger goal: to emerge as a choir from the shadow of the orchestra and cease solely being talked about in passing in live performance reviews. He dubbed the idea he and Simon Halsey got here up with “Broadening the scope of choral music.” The singers’ affect ought to develop in each dimensions of aesthetics and efficiency approach.
Bringing the choir up near the viewers is Rehberg’s goal.
As a result of the scenic a cappella initiatives made it possible 18 years in the past, different establishments are solely now studying for themselves: better proximity to the viewers. What adopted have been pioneering acts with an enduring impression. Lars Scheibner, a choreographer, collaborated with the choir and dancers on Rhodion Schtschedrin’s “The Sealed Angel,” and Hans-Werner Kroesinger turned Ernst Pepping’s “Ardour Report” into a bit of documentary theater. The “human requiem,” created by Jochen Sandig as a spatial efficiency by which the singers wander freely among the many viewers whereas being accompanied solely by the piano, was the best hit. This manufacturing had visitor appearances from as distant as Australia. One other widespread occasion is the sing-along live performance, by which amateurs and execs apply collectively and carry out on the Philharmonie.
1981-born Rachel-Sophie Dries is at present in cost.
You can't envision Hans Rehberg in retirement since he seems youthful and since, in accordance with his passport, he speaks so passionately about his choir and his work. However, he was the one who started in search of a substitute. He explains, “Over time, I’ve needed to gently persuade quite a few colleagues that it’s time to make place for the following era. There was no dialogue about making an exception for him. The Rundfunkchor will carry out the live performance efficiency “Time Travellers” within the Schinkelhalle Potsdam on July 1st and third. On July sixth, Hans Rehberg will bid farewell throughout a night moderated by Gayle Tufts on the Heimathafen Neukölln. Rachel-Sophie Dries, who was born in 1981, will formally take over the place of choir director starting in August.
Hans Rehberg will proceed to instruct future professionals from all genres in “Music Administration and Profession Planning” on the Rostock Music Academy. Moreover, he'll now benefit from the expansive view from his non-public balcony somewhat than his mansard home windows on Gendarmenmarkt. He just lately relocated from Prenzlauer Berg to an condominium on the Spree within the Hansaviertel.
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