Rheinische Kantorei & Edzard Burchards
Biography Rheinische Kantorei & Edzard Burchards
Rheinische Kantorei
Since its inception, the Rheinische Kantorei has been dedicated to interpretations based on the principles of historically informed performance practice. The voices are distinguished by a bright, radiant tone, impeccable intonation, perfect ensemble blend, meticulously crafted diction, transparency, and lightness. These qualities define the ensemble’s character, establishing it as a leading vocal interpreter of early music. Its stylistic expertise allows solo roles to be cast from within the choir itself. The ensemble’s size ranges from eight to thirty-two singers. Its repertoire is not limited to Renaissance or Baroque music; works from the Classical and Romantic eras also feature in its concert programs. A particular focus is placed on performing lesser-known works; many of these were discovered by Hermann Max and rescued from oblivion. In addition to live performances, these works are made accessible to a wide audience through recordings. The ensemble impresses in both concerts and recordings with its text-driven approach—a quality particularly evident in its performances of oratorios and operas alongside the orchestra *Das Kleine Konzert*. The Rheinische Kantorei and *Das Kleine Konzert* receive ensemble funding for the periods 2020–2022 and 2024–2026 as part of the "Culture Strengthening Initiative" of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Edzard Burchards
was born in Oldenburg in 1966. After completing his secondary education, he initially studied educational science at the Karlsruhe University of Education. In 1991, he began conducting studies under Prof. Martin Schmidt and Michael Procter at the Karlsruhe University of Music, while also attending masterclasses in conducting and historically informed performance practice with Tõnu Kaljuste, Martin Gester, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Eric Ericson. Even during his university studies, Edzard Burchards embarked on an active concert career as both a conductor and a singer, participating in numerous CD and radio recordings. As an ensemble singer, he is regularly invited to perform with groups such as Collegium Vocale Gent, the Balthasar-Neumann-Chor, Vocalconsort Berlin, Al Ayre Español, and other international ensembles. In 1998, Burchards assisted his teacher and friend—the English choral conductor and musicologist Michael Procter (who passed away in 2012)—in founding the ensemble Hofkapelle, with the aim of performing Renaissance music in an authentic manner. Through this ensemble, he was able to engage deeply with music from the period between 1450 and 1650 as a singer, gaining extensive knowledge of its theoretical foundations. Burchards shares his expertise through seminars for experienced choral singers, where music from the Renaissance and early Baroque periods is studied and subsequently performed in church services or concerts.
