Otto Nicolai Messe D-Dur und A-cappella-Werke

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The chamber choir CONSONO from Cologne, founded by Harald Jers in 2001, has gained highest international esteem in a very short time. The artistic quality of this ensemble is documented by numerous first and other significant prizes in renowned national and international choral competitions, radio and television recordings, widely regarded CD productions and extensive concert activity within the framework of important music festivals and concert series. Its repertoire ranges from Baroque oratorio music, through 19th century Romantic choral literature to new choral compositions and 21st century works composed especially for the ensemble. The ensemble places particular emphasis on the study of to date largely unknown, interesting a cappella works by contemporary and Romantic composers from different countries, as well as on their stylistically authentic performances. Technically, the choir focuses intensely on the expressive potential of the voice – including special knowledge of vocal acoustics – thus creating the foundation for stylistically appropriate vocal choral work. A combination of effective rehearsal methods, expressive conducting technique, musicological background and their own research results with respect to choral and spatial acoustics characterize the intensely expressive sound of this ensemble. Personal details

Since its founding in 1958, the Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen has enjoyed a unique position in the German orchestral landscape. It was born of the idea – which is still pursued today – of accompanying young graduates into their professional lives on a professional level, and by now, far more than 500 of its musicians have obtained positions in opera and concert orchestras both in Germany and abroad. The sponsorship of young musicians is not, however, restricted to members of the ensemble itself: the soloists, too, are largely selected with the intention of giving young musicians a podium for their artistic work. Furthermore, the list of guest conductors includes present-day celebrities such as Peter Schneider, Reinhard Goebel and Lothar Zagrosek. With its regular guest performances in Germany and neighboring European countries, the ensemble has gained a highly respected ranking among German chamber orchestras, as is demonstrated most recently by invitations to the Schleswig- Holstein Musik Festival, the Mozartfest Schwetzingen and the Rheingau Musik Festival. The Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen has also made concert tours in Switzerland, Austria, Lithuania, Italy, the Netherlands and Algeria. This young, ambitious orchestra is esteemed by both partners and audience. After more than 50 years, the orchestra is still performing works from all musical epochs with great enthusiasm and at the highest performance level – as is documented by numerous LP and CD recordings. Personal details

Harald Jers is active as an orchestral and choral conductor of several choirs and orchestras as well as being a lecturer at the Hochschule fur Musik und Tanz in Cologne and a guest lecturer at European music universities. Over and above teaching choral conducting, singing and vocal technique in combination with musical acoustics, he holds conducting classes at international choir symposiums, music festivals and professional conferences. Furthermore, his stylistic versatility makes him a sought-after juror at international choir and composition competitions. Invitations as a guest conductor for choirs and orchestras have led to concert tours throughout Europe, Asia and the USA. While he was still a student (music and vocal pedagogy, church music and physics in Cologne, Aachen, Dusseldorf and Stockholm), Jers intensified his collaboration with conductors and composers, to achieve as true a musical interpretation as possible. He focuses particularly on the integration of his own research of choral acoustics into choral performance practice. Harald Jers applies the results thus gained to his work with choirs, with marked consequences for rehearsal methods, conducting technique, the treatment of language, vocal technique and aural sensitization. The result – a differentiated and homogenous choral sound, well-balanced musical phrasing and a high standard of accuracy in intonation – was honored with the first prize of the Acoustical Society of America as well as with the Conductor’s Grand Prix in Hungary in 2010. Personal details

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