Truly impressive!

With the founding of an interdenominational, civic choir in 1847, the foundation was laid in Stuttgart for a musical movement that continues to have an impact to this day. For many years since the founding of the choir, oratorical performances of classical, as well as – at that time contemporary – works by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bruckner, etc., were the focus of the “Verein für klassische Kirchenmusik”. Interested and music-loving educated citizens listened to the regular Stuttgart performances and thus became acquainted with the latest oratorical creations of their time. These were almost “cult events” that music enthusiasts simply had to attend. Queen Olga was one of the patrons of this choir, who personally visited the choir at a rehearsal on May 19, 1882, and had the Halleluja sung to her, among other things. Afterwards, she made a “generous” donation to the choir.

The Stuttgarter Oratorienchor has been able to preserve its statutory objectives throughout its 175-year history. The members are highly ambitious and musically gifted amateurs who, with regular rehearsals, offer an astonishing workload of high-level choral performances year after year in Stuttgart. Although the members no longer have to bring briquettes to heat the rehearsal room, the demands in other areas have grown all the more.

With Haydn’s Creation, a very popular work was chosen for the anniversary festival concert, which led to an oratorical renaissance in Central Europe in the 19th century. In the interesting field of tension between “religiosity and enlightenment” it set new standards. Thus, this oratorio stands for “tradition and progress”. Terms that also have a high value for the Stuttgart Oratorio Choir.

Guests celebrate with us

At the invitation of the Stuttgarter Oratorienchor, two guest choirs from Stuttgart’s twin cities of Brno and Strasbourg could be won over for this concert. The “Choeur de St. Guillaume Strasbourg” and the “Brno Philharmonic Choir” finally agreed to participate a few months ago. Everyone is looking forward to the work and to this extraordinary project: “From three make one!”

Special distinction

In its anniversary year, the Stuttgarter Oratorienchor has the special honor of receiving the Zelter Plaque. The award certificate will contain the following wording:

Stuttgarter Oratorienchor e.V.

with the predicate

In tradition of the Association for Classical Church Music, .

Founded on February 24, 1847