Brought forward were these appeals by means of Christian chants and Christmas songs, mostly from the classic era, but also from the Baroque. Supplemented was the concert by Yvonne Deusch-Cammarosano at the harp, Dieter Lämmlin at the organ and by readings of completely different characters.
Erhard Zeh read text passages from the book of Michael Jürg "The Small Peace in the Big War", which describes the remarkable cease-fire at Christmas 1914 among Germans, British and French in the trenches of Flanders. Kristiina Kanholt read poems which can be found in Christmas house books, among others also by the Swiss poet Conrad Ferdinand Meyer. It were Christian texts "for all situations of life" which in different forms urge peace, in particular peace of Christmas:"At Christmas a lot is spoken about peace; but how different presents the world itself?"
Songs and readings alternated. The choir which was brilliant tempered from the very beginning opened the concert with the well known "Tochter Zion, freue Dich" ("See the conqu'ring hero comes") from Georg Friedrich Händel. Beforehand the visitors had been welcomed by Rosemarie Bachmann who asked the people not to applause during the concert. It was, however, for many listeners very hard to respect this petition not to applause, especially after particular successful or touching passages.
Impressively the choir presented pieces like Rutter's "Christmas Lullaby" and "Star Carol", the few compositions from the 20th century, accompanied by organ and harp, as well as "In dulci jubilo", the oldest piece from the 14th century, expressively and clearly performed by only female voices. With Beethovens "Hymne an die Nacht" ("Hymn to the night") also the male voices, supported by on female voice and Erhard Zeh himself literally were allowed to sing in the foreground. Several times the choir singers showed their linguistic skills. While singing in English, French or Latin, partially in all three languages like in "Adeste fideles" ("O come all ye faithful") there was never the impression that the about 50 choir members were acting on unknown liguistic terrain. With the final carol "Tollite hostias"" ("Bring the gifts") from the Christmas oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns the Sängerbund finished a very atmospheric concert. With a mighty "Halleluja" and ringing of the bells the presentation faded away.
Now finally the audience was allowed to applause, which was done prolonged and with standing ovations. With two encores the choir and the instrumentalists gave thanks to the visitors. With the collection at the exit the Sängerbund wants to support the work of the work group "Fürenand" ("for each other") who want to take care of the political refugees who will soon arrive in Efringen-Kirchen. On Sunday the concert could be attended once more in Tannenkirch. |
