FRIEDER BERNIUS (Kammerchor Stuttgart, Germany)
12.00-13.00 lecture on the interpretation of St John Passion
13.45-16.15 masterclass with the EAMT Choir performing the following choruses:
1. “Herr, unser Herrscher, dessen Ruhm”
21f. “Wir haben ein Gesetz, und nach dem Gesetz soll er sterben”
39. “Ruht wohl, ihr heiligen Gebeine”
Frieder Bernius is an internationally acclaimed conductor and teacher. He serves as the artistic director of the Kammerchor Stuttgart, Barockorchester Stuttgart, Hofkapelle Stuttgart, and the Klassische Philharmonie Stuttgart. His career began with the founding of the Kammerchor Stuttgart in 1968, which quickly gained recognition as one of the leading ensembles of its kind. His versatility is demonstrated by his creation of the Barockorchester and Klassische Philharmonie in 1991, focusing on period instrument performances of 18th-century music and modern performances of 19th to 21st-century works, respectively. The Hofkapelle Stuttgart, founded in 2006, specializes in 19th-century music.
Bernius is known for his commitment to stylistic authenticity, whether performing vocal works by Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, or contemporary pieces by Ligeti. He has a passion for rediscovering forgotten 18th-century operas and for premiering contemporary compositions. Bernius has conducted at prestigious international festivals, led the World Youth Choir, and worked with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. He has long-standing ties with the Streicherakademie Bozen and is an honorary professor at the Musikhochschule Mannheim.
In 1987, Bernius launched the International Festival of Early Music in Stuttgart (now known as Festival Stuttgart Barock), which has become a center for historically-informed performances. His work has been documented in over 100 recordings, earning 40 international awards. Among his many accolades, Bernius has been honored with the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande, the Verdienstmedaille of Baden-Württemberg, the Schwäbisch Gmünd Prize for European Church Music, and the prestigious Bach Medal from Leipzig.
The masterclass takes place in collaboration with the Estonian National Male Choir.