EnsEmblE nobilEs - Deutsche Vertretungen in Australien

Ensemble Nobiles
Ensemble Nobiles was founded in January 2006. The choristers met each other
during their nine-year education in fine arts as members of the St. Thomas Boys Choir
Leipzig.
Their repertoire ranges from late medieval mass songs to modern age works. The
five young musicians attach great importance to the works of German Romantic
composers, such as Schubert, Schumann and Mendelssohn Bartholdy, as well as to
their extensive repertoire of church music.
The ensemble successfully collaborates with a number of other artists, such as
the composers Manfred Schlenker, Volker Bräutigam(both Germany), David
Hamilton(New Zealand) and Jeremy Rawson(Great Britain).
Ensemble Nobiles participated in practical seminars under the direction of vocal
teacher Werner Schüssler, the former Hilliard singer John Potter and Ensemble
amarcord and The Hilliard Ensemble.
In march 2014 Ensemble Nobiles received a grant from the German Music Council and
were named to the Federal Selection of Concerts for Young Artists, which recognized
young professional musicians. Furthermore the five singers won the Special Prize and
a second grant awarded by Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.
Two months later Ensemble Nobiles won the First Prize of the German National Choir
Competition.
The label GENUIN from Leipzig released the ensemble’s CD A German Mass in May
2012. The record based upon Deutsche Messe by Franz Schubert interprets the course
of a complete church service.
The CD Hugo Distler was recorded in close collaboration with Sjaella and released in
October 2012 in honor of composer Hugo Distler’s 70th death anniversary.
Be Welcome, the latest CD of the Ensemble, combines hymns and motets for advent,
christmas and epiphany and was released in october 2014.
Extracts from several concerts by Ensemble Nobiles were broadcasted in a number
of countries.
In addition to several performances in Germany on significant occasions like the
renowned Bachfest Leipzig the ensemble also performed in New Zealand, Switzerland,
France and the Netherlands.
Paul Heller (*1991) - Tenor voice
Christian Pohlers (*1989) - Tenor voice
Felix Hübner (*1991) - Baritone voice
Lukas Lomtscher (*1989) - Bass voice
Lucas Heller (*1991) - Bass voice
Program & Workshop
Leipziger Liedertafel
Composers close connected to Leipzig such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Robert
Schumann, Moritz Hauptmann and Edvard Grieg created different works, like
popular ballads, jolly drinking songs and insightful romantic scorings of poems. The
spirit of music from the romantic period, like shown in this program, spread from the
hometown of Ensemble Nobiles: Leipzig.
Eine Deutsche Messe
The religious concert based upon Deutsche Messe (German Mass) by Franz Schubert
interprets the course of a complete church service. The program is completed by
pieces which comment on Schubert's mass. Therefore the musicians chose motets
from the renaissance as well as moderns compositions, e.g. Josquin de Prez, Francis
Poulenc and Hugo Distler.
Workshops
Ensemble Nobiles attaches great importance to the collaboration with other
ensembles and musicians. The concept of exchanging knowledge on music calls
for sharing and reflecting new information. Focusing on new impulses to interpret
diverse styles and to perfect agogical nuances will be just as important as getting to
know new repertoires and improve pronunciation.
German Romanticism
A short introduction will give an overview to German Romanticism. A joint performance
will include an Australian/New Zealand and a German folk song.
Male Chorus
Male choruses and ensembles will have the opportunity to work out an own repertoire
in close collaboration with Ensemble Nobiles. The works of Franz Schubert, Robert
Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy will be the seminar’s main focus.
Mixed Choirs
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is undoubtedly one of the most famous composers of
early German Romanticism. His sacred works of church music will be in the focus of
this seminar.
Interview
What was the reason for founding Ensemble Nobiles ?
Paul: As a special treat for one of our teachers at a Christmas party, a few classmates got together to form a male-voice choir.
What made you decide to continue with the Ensemble?
Lucas: Our main motivation was the discovery of an unfamiliar and interesting new
repertoire. We enjoyed the challenge of organizing our own projects, and the frequent solo singing also aroused our interest.
How did you get the name ‘Ensemble Nobiles’?
Paul : The name is a bit tongue in cheek. When we were looking for a name, it was
clear to us that it should be something Latin and with the help of our Latin teacher,
we went in search of a name. Nobiles, which translates as ‘noble lords’, was something we thought we might one day aspire to be.
Are you graduate musicians? Do you make your living from music?
Lukas : Currently, we all still studying. Christian and Paul are the only ones who
study at a college of music. Christian studies singing, and our highest tenor, Paul,
studies vocal accompaniment; piano accompaniment for theatre and opera and also
orchestral conducting.
His twin brother Lucas is studying the theoretical side of music; musicology. Our
baritone Felix is in the final phase of his Communication and Media studies and I am
studying Book Retailing and Publishing.
So currently, singing with Ensemble Nobiles is not our main occupation. However, it
could be in the near future.
Who are your musical influences?
Lukas : I would not say that we have direct influences, rather pioneer musicians
and others who inspire us. The pioneers are groups like amarcord and the Calmus
Ensemble, The King's Singers and the Comedian Harmonists who have popularized
a cappella singing in small groups. We get influences from the whole of the music
world. Through our time in the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir, Bach's music is a strong, formative influence, and we learned a lot from Cantor Biller and the singer and conductor Gotthold Schwarz. We have too many influences to mention them all.
Have there been any difficult times?
Lucas: 2009 was a difficult time. After high school, and our three week tour of New
Zealand, some of the ensemble members decided to move to other cities to study.
As a result, we had to look for new singers. Following any lineup change, it takes a
lot of time and effort to form a unified sound.
What’s more, as a young musician, it can be difficult to experience more ‘tangible’
benefits in addition to the applause and compliments. Unfortunately, music is increasingly seen as a free public entitlement, and it can therefore be difficult to make it
clear that singing is also a normal, paying job.
Interview
Do you prefer singing church music or secular music? Why?
Christian: It depends on the type of concert venue. Speaking personally, for me to
find a piece good or beautiful depends not on whether it is secular or spiritual but
rather on other factors such as stylistics or harmony. The message behind the piece
also affects my aesthetic appreciation of it.
How often do you rehearse?
Christian: We aim for two to three rehearsals a week. Unfortunately, this almost
never works out because our schedules rarely match. So, there are times when we
rehearse every evening in a week, but also those in which we might manage only
one rehearsal before a concert. This depends on the number of concerts and other
activities.
How are you engaged musically?
Felix : We all take singing lessons in order to advance our own vocal development.
Some of us are permanent members in Leipzig choirs or are regularly requested to
assist on projects with other local choirs. Some of us also give solo concerts in and
around Leipzig. Paul and Christian also compose and have written many pieces for
our ensemble.
What has been your best experience with Ensemble Nobiles?
Christian : Our big trip to New Zealand in 2009 is deeply etched in my memory. This
was the first time we had been overseas completely alone, and the experience
influenced me greatly. Another great memory is our unexpected success in the
German Music Competition in 2014. We did not expect, in our wildest dreams, to win
an award at this great competition. That we were, in the end, even more successful
gave us a lot of confidence which was reflected in the following concerts.
However, each concert with which we can reach and inspire concert-goers is a good
memory. Also, the many fun evenings spent together after concerts or rehearsals
have helped us grow and bond as a group.
Interview by Sascha Hille, manager of Ensemble Nobiles since 2009. He was
also a member of the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir, Leipzig and studied Cultural
Studies at the University of Leipzig.
Reviews
Ensemble Nobiles – music-making
in the finest German choral
tradition
Manawatu Guardian, New Zealand 2009
‘Ensemble
Nobiles
are
of
most
one
the
talented
up
ir-raising
‘The concert was a ha
lously
experience, so miracu
sounding as
balanced, with voices
nine years of
one, the result of the
r.’
listening to each othe
sic Reviews,
al Mu
Middle C – Classic
New Zealand 2009
and coming vocal
groups.’
Dr. John Potter,
Great Britain 2014
‘Ovation for visiting ensemble: The audience
abandoned customary restraint to leave
Ensemble Nobiles with no doubts they had well
and truly won the hearts of music-lovers after
the rapturous show. […] The precision of the
singing and interpretation was impeccable, the
facets of each piece polished to perfection to call
forth the colours within.’
‘Ensemble Nobiles
acclaimed in St. Konrad
‘
Aachener Zeitung, 20
12
Manawatu Guardian, New Zealand 2009
‘SUBTLE ATTUNED SOUND,
MARVELLOUS INTONATION‘
Mainpost, 2012
‘[...] „music of the spheres“ and „music of ang
els“ these are the audience`s reactions [...]‘
Kreisanzeiger Schotten, 2014