Hugely popular and versatile
Conductor Jan Schumacher on his favorite choral collection “Lore-Ley”
As a singer, Jan Schumacher was involved in recording the accompanying CD for the choral collection Lore-Ley what is now almost 15 years ago. The arrangements of German folk songs made a deep impression on him back then. Now the choral collection for four-part mixed chorus has become a constant companion for him in rehearsals and concerts. The conductor explains what’s special for him about this collection, and shares his personal program ideas with us – which may provide inspiration for your own concerts!
What marks this choral collection out from others, what is really special about it?
When the Lore-Ley choral collection was published in 2006, it was the first such collection in several decades devoted to German folk song. The book quickly became extremely popular and remains the most important standard work of its kind to this day. The wide popularity of Lore-Ley is due especially to the outstanding selection of choral settings (124 different pieces!) throughout. Many of the arrangements were newly composed specially for Lore-Ley by both German and international composers.
For which choirs, what kind of occasions, and which reasons is the choral collection recommended?
Lore-Ley is intended for mixed choirs of all kinds, and church choirs, chamber choirs, and vocal ensembles will also find suitable works in it. The arrangements are from easy to medium difficulty, and can be performed on all sorts of occasions – programs for serenades, open singing sessions, open air performances, or even complete concerts can easily be put together with this repertoire. For some folk songs there are even two different arrangements, inviting choirs to perform contrasting versions one after another. What’s particularly impressive is the wide stylistic variety. Starting with the renaissance, the contents range through the romantic period to settings in modern styles, to jazz harmonies and contemporary sounds, and works in humorous and experimental styles.
Jan Schumacher is University Music Director and professor at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main and conductor of the Camerata Musica Limburg and the Chorus of the Technical University Darmstadt. With his ensembles he performs a wide repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to premieres of new works and jazz, from symphonic orchestral repertoire to Big Band and vocal and electronic improvisation. As well as this he directs seminars for singers, orchestras, and conductors in many European countries and internationally. He ist also an editior for Carus-Verlag.
Choir SATB
Suggestions for a concert program
Open air performances are something very special for choirs – not only in pandemic times! A performance in a city park or an open square, in the garden of a church or old people’s home, a concert bowl in a spa, or even in a forest or meadow (there have even been choral performances in empty swimming pools!). These are all equally delightful for singers and audiences (with social distancing if necessary…!)
This program suggestion is for a c. 45-minute-long spring-inspired serenade concert. The program opens with cheerful songs about spring and the first of May, before ending with more contemplative and evening melodies.
No. 120 So treiben wir den Winter aus (v.d. Brand)
No. 107 Nun will der Lenz uns grüßen (Buchenberg)
No. 77 Im Märzen der Bauer (Schmid)
No. 84 Jetzt fängt das schöne Frühjahr an (Zimpel)
No. 57 Grüß Gott, du schöner Maien (Becker)
No. 28 Der Mai, der Mai, der lustige Mai (v.d. Brand)
No. 29 Der Mai ist gekommen (Göttsche)
No. 91 Kuckuck rufts aus dem Wald (Schindler)
No. 40 Ein Vogel wollte Hochzeit machen (Gabriel)
No. 89 Kein schöner Land (Becker)
No. 1 Abend wird es wieder (Wilson)
No. 36 Die Blümelein sie schlafen (Claas)
No. 104 Nun ruhen alle Wälder (Bach)
No. 30 Der Mond ist aufgegangen (Reger)
Tip: Many of the works from the choral collection are also available as separate editions (in print or digitally to download) at attractive bulk discount prices for choirs. The sample scores and audio samples in the Carus webshop make learning the arrangements easy!
Tip: The Lore-Ley choral series contains choral collections for various different scorings. As well as the SATB volume, there is a collection for three parts with 77 new arrangements suitable both for young choirs with young male voices, and for young-at-heart choirs with few male singers. Upper voice choirs also feature in the series with their own collection of over 130 works.
Have a listen:
Lore-Ley – Deutsche Volkslieder
Kölner Kantorei (Conductor Volker Hempfling)
Choir SATB
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