From May 29, 2024, to June 3, 2024, the Anglistenchor Heidelberg embarked on a concert tour to Hamburg and Stockholm. This journey took place as part of an international choir exchange. The partner choir, Stockholms Universitetskör, had previously visited the Anglistenchor in Heidelberg, and both choirs had given a joint concert at the Peterskirche in Heidelberg. Now, it was time for the return visit to deepen the musical and cultural connection.
The journey began with a train ride from Heidelberg to Hamburg. Despite a small adventure when one participant overslept and had to travel privately later, the journey was mostly smooth. During the train ride, the choir members spent their time playing games, chatting, and engaging in spontaneous musical performances.
Upon arriving in Hamburg, they headed straight to the Marktkirche Poppenbüttel, where the first concert of the tour took place that evening. Despite the rush and stress after the long train ride, the concert was a great success. With a diverse program including the cantata “Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo,” the Anglistenchor captivated the Hamburg audience, marking a beautiful start to their concert tour. After the concert, the choir continued their journey to Stockholm by night train.
On May 30, 2024, the Anglistenchor arrived in Stockholm at 11 a.m. After checking in at the hostel, the choir members explored the city in small groups, gathering their first impressions. In the evening, the first meeting with the partner choir took place. Members of the Stockholm University Choir led the Anglistenchor to a breathtaking viewpoint. With fantastic weather and an incredible view of the city, the choirs spent a wonderful evening picnicking, singing spontaneously, and discussing cultural differences and similarities. It was a perfect start to an intensive intercultural exchange!
The third day of the trip began with an inspiring city tour led by Leon Tscholl, the conductor of the partner choir. He not only introduced the choir members to the history of Stockholm but also provided insights into Swedish culture from the unique perspective of a German who has lived in Stockholm for many years. In the evening, a concert took place at the Stephanskyrkan. Although the audience was modest, it was an intense and enriching experience. A special highlight was the moderation by a young choir member, who delighted the audience and presented the program excellently.
The next day began with an intensive rehearsal together with the Stockholm University Choir. The joint program, a mix of Nordic folk music and German choral works, was conducted by alternating conductors and offered the choir members valuable new perspectives. At noon, the choir members enjoyed a relaxing boat tour through Stockholm’s bays, providing further cultural insights. The evening culminated in a grand concert at the Högalidskyrkan. A standout moment was the joint performance of the “Sommarpsalm” by Waldemar Ahlen, where both choirs and the audience sang together at the end – an unforgettable moment! The joint performance of the poignant post-war composition “Wie liegt die Stadt so wüst” by Rudolf Mauersberger also created a very impressive atmosphere. After the concert, the choirs celebrated in a cozy pub, exchanged gifts, and deepened the newly formed friendships with more musical performances.
After checking out of the hostel on June 2, the choir members spent the last day relaxing in Stockholm. Many took the opportunity to meet with the Swedish choir members and conclude the trip together. In the evening, the Anglistenchor said their goodbyes at the main train station in Stockholm and began their journey back to Heidelberg. Overall, the trip remains a fond memory for the Anglistenchor and sparks anticipation for possible future joint musical projects with the Stockholm University Choir.
Supported by:
We are grateful for the financial support provided by the “International Choir Encounters” program of the German Choir Youth, as well as donations from Heidelberger Volksbank eG and partial funding from the University of Heidelberg for this trip!
