Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden (born 19 June 1937 in Karlsbad, Germany) is a German director, choir leader, and singing master. He is known for being so far the only director of the Tölzer Knabenchor
Schmidt-Gaden studied direction under Kurt Eichhorn in Munich, choir leadership under professor Kurt Thomas in Leipzig, and song under Helge Rosvaenge, Otto Iro and Mario Tonelli.
Already in 1956 he founded the Tölzer Knabenchor, which he within few years took to international fame and still leads. Among his most important supporters have been Carl Orff, Hans Werner Henze, Herbert von Karajan, August Everding and Claudio Abbado. His many years of cooperation with Nikolaus Harnoncourt has influenced his musical development.
In 1978 Schmidt-Gaden founded the "Florilegium Musicum", an orchestra playing old music with period instruments.
From 1980 to 1988 he was a professor of choir leadership at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. From 1984 to 1989 he acted as choir director for the Mailänder Scala and led their childrens' choir.
He has recorded numerous and award-winning pieces, such as Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium with the Collegium Aureum, Kleine Geistliche Konzerte by Heinrich Schütz, as well as religious choral music by Orlando di Lasso.
His book Wege der Stimmbildung (Ways of building the voice) was published in 1992 by Verlag Max Hieber.
In 1983 Schmidt-Gaden was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz, and in 1994 the Bavarian Verdienstorden.
In 2003 his recording of Orlando di Lasso's Bußpsalmen was awarded the 'Echo Klassik'.
External links
- Wikipedia article (German)
- A short biography
This page uses material from the Wikipedia article Gerhard_Schmidt-Gaden.
