100 years of Mission Music: MDR radio choir opens anniversary year with premiere by James MacMillans Ordo Virtutum

100 years of Mission Music: MDR radio choir opens anniversary year with premiere by James MacMillans Ordo Virtutum

The MDR radio choir starts its anniversary year with a very special musical highlight: the premiere of James MacMillan's "Ordo Virtutum", a new setting of the Singspiel of the same name by the famous mystic Hildegard von Bingen, who lived almost 1000 years ago. The Berlin citizen can look forward to a musical experience of the extra class, because on February 4th the work at MDR Kultur and MDR Classical and in the ARD audio will be heard.

The performance of the Scottish composer James MacMillan is particularly noteworthy because he retained the original Latin text by Hildegard von Bingen and gave the medieval work a new sound robe with solo soprano, double choir and stroke. The virtues of the Singspiel are always presented, while the devil can only be heard as their opponent. This extraordinary A-cappella work promises to captivate the audience.

The historical background of the MDR radio choir goes back to Mitteldeutsche Rundfunk AG (Mirag), which went on the air in Leipzig in 1924. At that time, the need for live music was huge because recordings were not yet technically possible. The Central German broadcaster relied on its own ensembles early on, so the historical forerunners of today's MDR ensembles were bound to Mirag in 1924. This tradition of cooperation between radio and ensembles continues to this day and reflects the close connection between the MDR and the musical culture in the region.

in Berlin there is a strong musical interest and a diverse concert scene, which is why the premiere of James MacMillans "Ordo Virtutum" will certainly attract great attention. The Berliners have the opportunity to experience the work live or to follow the concert through the media mentioned. This cultural event shows the importance and diversity of the musical tradition in Germany and expresses the unique connection between the past and the present - an experience that the citizens should not miss.

For all music lovers and interested parties, there are a variety of ways to pursue the event. It is expected that the premiere of James MacMillan's "Ordo Virtutum" will cause enthusiasm and sensation both regionally and nationally and emphasize the importance of the MDR radio choir as a cultural institution.

Source: mdr middle German broadcasting / OTS