Post-Evensong Recital: The Rutheneum Concert Choir
The Rutheneum Concert Choir has been active since 1989 at Goethe-Gymnasium/Rutheneum, with its origins dating back to 1608 in various formations. Singers from Thuringia and other states are members of this choir. Since September 1994, Christian K. Frank has successfully led the mixed youth choir. Under his direction, the choir has achieved several gold and silver diplomas and first prizes at various competitions both nationally and internationally. Award-winning concerts in Italy, Hungary, Greece, Belgium, Austria, and the USA have solidified the ensemble's outstanding reputation.
With excellent musical understanding, discipline, and dedication, the Concert Choir has established itself as one of the leading mixed youth choirs in Germany. In addition to successes in choir competitions, innovative concert literature has attracted attention. The choir not only incorporates classical instruments in performances of contemporary music but also integrates elements of electronics and popular music in various ways.
A cappella singing holds a prominent place in the choir's repertoire. Alongside traditional choral music in all its forms, contemporary and early music are also given significant prominence. In highly regarded performances of choral-symphonic works and oratorios, the Concert Choir Rutheneum demonstrates its competence in this field as well.
As part of the Philharmonic Concerts, the choir, along with the Philharmonic Orchestra Altenburg-Gera and under the direction of Christian K. Frank, presented its world premiere for the theme year Heinrich Schütz – Heinrich Posthumus: "...Der Herr hat’s genommen" on November 7-9, 2022.
The CD "Hereafter," produced and released by Universal/Red Farm Records in 2008, garnered attention. In 2020, the Rondeau label released a CD featuring Symphony No. 6 by Mieczyslaw Weinberg, a collaboration with the Philharmonic Orchestra Altenburg-Gera. Another CD featuring a cappella works and compositions for choir and organ is currently in the planning stages.