An expression of faith and musical common knowledge - who is not familiar with at least one German hymn? Vocal Concert Dresden, an ensemble famous for its aural clarity and warmth of tone, has ventured to make a selection of hymns, in settings ranging from the Reformation to the twentieth century, and recorded them in the resonant atmosphere of a village church. The resulting CD offers a simple but moving account of church singing, performed as it were by an ideal congregation.

Vocal Concert Dresden was founded by Peter Kopp as the 'Körnerscher Sing‐Verein' in 1993 and renamed in the spring of 2008. The ensemble consists mainly of graduates from the Dresden College of Music and former members of the choir of the Dresden Kreuzkirche. The repertoire ranges from the polyphonic choral works of the Renaissance to modern music, but the choir has developed a special flair for the music of the late eighteenth century. The emotional power of the ensemble’s concerts and the intelligence of its interpretations have contributed to the esteem of the choir and to its reputation for being exceptional. The ensemble has repeatedly been praised for its stylistic sureness and elegant, natural manner of singing.

Peter Kopp enjoys a wide‐ranging conducting career. He has been artistic director of Vocal Concert Dresden for twenty years. He has also been conducting the choir of the Dresden Kreuzkirche since 1995. In the daily rehearsal work and in conducting concerts, he joins with the choirmaster‐organist at the Kreuzkirche in continuing the almost 800‐year tradition of this famous boys’ choir. Peter Kopp has conducted the choir at music festivals like the Ravello Festival, the Bachfest in Leipzig, the Dresden Music Festival and the Handel Festivals in Göttingen and Halle. He has rehearsed renowned choirs and regularly works with the Bach Society in Houston.

Contents:
∙ Nun lasst uns Gott, dem Herren
∙ Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
∙ Befiehl du deine Wege
∙ Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
∙ Du meine Seele, singe
∙ Gott des Himmels und der Erden
∙ O Gott, du frommer Gott
∙ O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß
∙ Christ ist erstanden
∙ Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist
∙ Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
∙ Großer Gott, wir loben dich
∙ Jesus, meine Zuversicht
∙ Schönster Herr Jesu
∙ O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
∙ Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden
∙ In dir ist Freude
∙ O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf
∙ Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
∙ Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn
∙ Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
∙ Nun danket alle Gott
∙ Wie lieblich ist der Maien
∙ Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud
∙ Der Mond ist aufgegangen