What do times of day and seasons mean to you? How do we move between past, present and future? The passing of time is a theme that has occupied us since, well, forever – and musicians are no exception. Countless artists have tried to capture time in their music, not least conductor Gijs Leenaars and the Rundfunkchor Berlin. Never slaves to the classical concert format, this choir and its singers are continually on the hunt for fresh artistic visions. Now the group have turned their attention to time. Combining visual elements from Nick and Clemens Prokop and choreography by Shang-Chi Sun, “Time Travellers” is the choir’s latest event comprising interdisciplinary performances at the Schinkelhalle, a historic industrial building in Potsdam (concerts 01–03.07.2022).
The centerpiece of the evening is the song cycle “The Passing of the Year” by British composer Jonathan Dove. Written for two choirs and a piano, it describes the passing of the seasons – and the passing of life. The sounds of the choir are blended with visuals and dance for a line-up of six contemporary and classical pieces, including “Sehnsucht” by Johannes Brahms and “Images” by Claude Debussy. On Saturday and Sunday (02 & 03.07) there’s an extra-special excursion: you can travel to and from the concert location in Potsdam by boat and experience a voyage of a different kind. Author Jens Bisky will accompany the trip, offering performances and anecdotes from Berlin old and new.
Text: Annika Hillig / Photos: Prokop & Rundfunkchor
Rundfunkchor Berlin at the Schinkelhalle, Schiffbauergasse 4A, 14467 Potsdam; map
Concerts 01–03.07.2022. You can buy concert tickets and a place on the boat trip online.
@rundfunkchor
