NORDLICHTER (Northern Lights)
Zürcher Vokalisten
Christian Dillig
Scandinavian choral music is unparalleled in its unique combination of folk-like directness and modern expressive power. The Zürcher Vokalisten immerse the listener in the mythical sound of the North with a program of folk songs and sacred works as well as new Shakespeare settings. Northern Lights -— peaceful and clear.
Release: February 2017
Total Time: 70:09
Booklet in German and English language (32 pages)
P+C 2016 Spektral, LC 15543
Best.-Nr. SRL4-16151
EAN: 4260130381516
The Zürcher Vokalisten are an a cappella choir founded in 2003 by Christian Dillig. The group consists of 40 singers and performs choral music of many eras and styles, with a major focus on music written in the last 25 years. The choir members are highly committed to an intensive musical regimen and the majority have extensive vocal training and many years of choral experience.
Since its inception, the group has undertaken approximately 40 substantial musical projects including memorable performances of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem in 2008 and the Mass for Double Choir by Frank Martin in 2012. In both cases, the Zürcher Vokalisten collaborated with the Ukrainian chamber choir Cantus Uschgorod. In 2009, the choir also joined forces with the Armenian Chamber Players in a performance of the Missa de Lumine by David Haladjian. The Zürcher Vokalisten have appeared several times in the Stuttgart concert series Stunde der Kirchenmusik, most recently with a performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, Op 37 at the Tübinger Motette church, where they presented modern Gregorian works from their program “O Magnum Mysterium”. “Northern Lights” is the second CD that the Zürcher Vokalisten have recorded for Spektral. The first, entitled “Blue Bird”, was released in 2013.
Choral conductor Christian Dillig graduated from the University of Freiburg im Breisgau with Masters degrees in German Studies and Musicology, and also earned his Music Education certification for teaching music at the secondary level from the Freiburg University of Music. Following this, he attended the Zurich University of Music and Theatre where he pursued studies in choral conducting with Beat Schäfer, graduating with distinction. He also studied singing at the Swiss Academy of Music and Music Pedagogy (SAMP) with Stefano Kunz-Annoff. Many more courses and masterclasses in choral and orchestral conducting followed, including work with Anders Eby, Gary Graden, and Helmuth Rilling. At present, Christian Dillig is heavily involved in conducting a wide range of choirs of varying sizes and professional goals. He is highly versatile, and appears frequently throughout Europe as a conductor, pianist, and vocal soloist.
