Escolania de Montserrat
The Escolania del monestir de Montserrat is the boys' choir of the monastery of Montserrat near Barcelona, Catalonia. The choir was first mentioned in documents in 1307. The choir consists of about 50 boys aged 9-14 years mainly in from the Catalan-speaking regions of Spain.
The musical education of the boys four years. During this time, the musical arrangement of part of the monastic liturgies is their job. So the choir sings in the basilica of the monastery every day at the time of Salve (13 clock ), a Salve Regina and the Virolai, and Vespers ( 18:45 clock ) the volley of Montserrat (some verses in the style of Gregorian chant and other various set to music composers, including Palestrina) and a motet.
The choir has numerous (more than 100 ) CDs recorded and toured completed worldwide ( Japan, Canada, Israel, France, Austria, Germany, and others). The repertoire consists mainly of Iberian choral music of the Renaissance and the Baroque, Classical the Montserrat School, contemporary music ( and Others by Benjamin Britten, Zoltán Kodály, Petr Eben and Vic Nees ) and works of the great composers of the Romantic (Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, and others).
The boys received a solid musical education, which consists primarily of vocal training and music theory. In addition, they learn to play the piano as well as a second instrument of your choice.
The name under which the choir is world famous today, actually refers to the music school of the monastery, whose tradition dates back to at least the 12th century. She is known as a school of Montserrat ( Escola Montserratina in Catalan ) and is considered the oldest music school in Europe. Many famous composers and musicians went from it stronger, such as Joan March, Joan Cererols, Josep Martí, Benet Julia, Anselm Viola, Narcis Casanoves, Antoni Soler Ferran Sorts, and more recently Ángel Rodamilans, Anselm Ferrer, Ireneu Segarra i Malla, Odilo Planas, Cassia Just and Gregori Estrada. The school also includes a male Choralschola who maintains the Gregorian chant, as well as several instrumental ensembles.
Choir director ( since the 20th century )
- Anselm Ferrer (1885-1969), choirmaster 1911-1933
- Ángel Rodamilans (1874-1936), choirmaster 1933-1936
- David Pujol (1894-1979), choirmaster 1939-1953
- Ireneu Segarra i Malla (1917-2005), choirmaster 1953-1997
- Jordi Agustí Piqué i Collado (* 1963), choirmaster 1998-2001
- Joaquim Piqué i Calvo ( born 1968 ), choirmaster 2001-2007
- Bernat Vivanco i Farràs (* 1973), choirmaster since 2007