Boys' choir
In a boys 'choir or at the Boys' Choir sing alto and soprano voices of boys ( " boys " ) are sung as opposed to a mixed choir occupied.
Historical
The roots of today's boys' choirs are in Carol Singers and bands (see a cappella ) of the early and high Middle Ages. Especially in churches where female vocals was still prohibited until the 19th century, boys and castrated males were used. The currently existing boys' choirs are traditionally associated church music.
The exclusive use of boys before the change of voice as well as his absence, by the removal of the testicles can be alone historical reasons, as the voices of the same design boys and girls do not differ. Significantly, however, are the differences of adult male and female soprano to alto voices in comparison to children's voices.
The final castration ban from 1903, pronounced by Pope Pius X. not supplanted the boys' choirs, although "mixed" children's choirs arose. In the 20th century, especially in the postwar period, many boys' choirs were founded.
Boys' choirs today
The most famous boys' choirs in the German-speaking countries are the traditional church choirs of the Aachen Cathedral Choir (founded in 796 ), the Regensburg Cathedral Choir (founded in 975 ), the Stadtsingechor Halle (founded in 1116), the St. Thomas Boys Choir in Leipzig (founded in 1212 ), the Dresden Cross Choir (founded in the 13th century), the Wiltener boys (founded in the 13th century), the Vienna Boys' Choir (est. 1498), Dresdner Kapellknaben (founded 1709) and the Mainz Cathedral Choir (est. 1866). A few start-ups of the 20th century such as the Stuttgart Hymnus Boys' Choir (est. 1900), the Wuppertal Carolers (est. 1924), the Knabenkantorei Basel (founded in 1927), the wind Bacher Boys Choir (est. 1946), the Hannover Boys Choir come (est. 1950), the Tölz Boys Choir (est. 1956), the choirboys Uetersen (founded in 1965) or the Aurelius boys Choir of Calw (est. 1983). Most boys' choirs are fully occupied voices (SATB ); probably the most famous exception is the Vienna Boys Choir, the exclusively feature soprano and alto voices. Many singers remain after the change of voice in the choir and singing in a male voice. If necessary, foreign choir singers are obliged for the men's voices.
In addition to traditional liturgical duties in church services include concerts with the main responsibilities of these choirs.
According to the age of the singers from more than 14 years, the artistic possibilities are taken into account.
Because of offspring problems, the addition of soprano and alto voices is sometimes required by girls, such as for the St. Thomas Boys Choir.
Works for boys' choir
- Gustav Mahler: The Song of Lamentation for soloists, boys' choir, mixed choir, large orchestra and Remote Orchestra ( 1878-1880 ).
- Richard Wetz: Song of Life for boys' choir and orchestra op 29 (1908 )
- Benjamin Britten: A Boy was born, variations for mixed chorus and boys' chorus, Op 3 (1933 )
- Benjamin Britten: Missa brevis in D major for boys' choir and organ, Op 63 (1959 )
- Benjamin Britten: The Golden Vanity, text by Colin Graham, for boys' choir and piano, Op 78 (1966 )