The University of Luxembourg’s choir was one of five choirs, from five different countries participating in a concert, marking the celebration of Europe Day, last week in Bratislava.
The choirs performed their own rendition of Beethoven’s 9th symphony, accompanied by the Bruno Walter Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jack Martin Händler.
Many illustrious authorities were present at the concert, which was televised live on Slovakian TV.
Conductor, Jack Martin Händler, expressed his delight, at having the opportunity to celebrate the joyous occasion in such a beautiful city, hailing the participation and commitment of the young university choirs from different European countries.
François Carbon, in charge of cultural missions at Uni.Lu, and who helped coordinate this European event, was pleased with the outcome:
“The hall was packed and bonded by a European spirit, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Robert Schuman declaration and the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. This concert was a great success! It was impressive to see so many people singing together, even if we had already seen something similar in Luxembourg*.”
The University Choir Technik Bratislava, Wiener Singakademie Choir, Choir of F. Liszt Academy of Music Budapest, Vilnius University Choir Pro Musika Vilnius, and the Luxembourg University Choir, as well as soloists of the Slovakian National Theatre – Mária Rychlová (soprano), Alena Kropácková (alto), Ludovic Ludha (tenor, Peter Mikulás (bass), participated in the concert.
The monumental 9th Symphony by Beethoven lasts approximately 75 minutes, and contains a musical interpretation of the Ode to Joy by Schiller, conveying a message of peace, calling for the fraternity of mankind – a symbolic work for Europe Day.
Sixteen Luxembourg singers, of which many were students, partook. All of them had participated two years ago
Current students of the University of Luxembourg, Helena Inghelram and Tom Conrad, as well as former students, Yashar Azarmgin and Siyuan Han, expressed their happiness at being a part of the project, citing their visit of the historically and culturally-rich, and beautiful city of Bratislava, as a highlight. They also said they were looking forward to participating in the next European musical project.
The Uni.Lu choir is now looking ahead to its next project, ‘Vivaldi’s Gloria and Bach’s Magnificat, in collaboration with the Estro Armonico Orchestra. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening from 19:00, with concerts scheduled for 4 and 5 December. All singers interested in participating, should contact François Carbon at francois.carbon@uni.lu.
*In 2013, Uni.Lu had hosted a similar concert for its 10th anniversary, which also had Jack Martin Händler as a conductor,
Photos by Lubos Pilc
(L to R): Heinz Ferlesch, Wiener Singakademie, Jack Martin Händler, Conductor, Petra Torkosová, University Technik Choir Bratislava, François Carbon, Head of Cultural Missions at University of Luxembourg.
