German Boy Choir Costumes: Dresdener Kreuzchor


Figure 1.--The Dresder Kreuz Chor is pictured here about 1960. Their hair cuts help to date the image. Their conductor Rudolf Mauersberger conducted them until 1975. Click on the image to see the entire choir.

The Dresdner Kreuzchor (Holy Cross Choir) is one of the oldest and most renowned boys' choirs in the world. Even though Dresden was located in East Germany, the Communist Government allowed the Choir to continue operating during the Cold War. The Dresdener Kreuzchor is composed of young men and boys. Based on a record jacket, a HBC reader reports that the young men wear a white shirt and a black suit with a tie. The boys a white shirt with a black jacket and short trousers with grey kneesocks. This might be a travelling suit, but the sourroundings in the picture are rather ecclastical. The picture is a historical one, taken while the GDR still exsisted (before 1990). From 1930 to around 1967 they were directed by Mr. Rudolf Mauersberger, so the record might be from the 1950s or 60s. We have developed information on the history and tradition of the Kreuzchor and also into the life of its members, the "Crucians".

History of the Kreuzchor

Early history

In the year 1234 the Austrian wife of Henry the Illustrious brought with her to Dresden a piece of the true cross as a gift, which was for the period immediately following kept in the Church of St. Nicholas. As an addition to this church, the oldest within the city walls, the "capella sanctae crucis" (Chapel of the Holy Cross) was built, the first record of which dates from 1319, when it was mentioned as a place of pilgrimage. This chapel lent its name later in 1388 to the entire church "zum heiligen Kreuz". For some considerable time, ministers and choirboys performed the liturgy, and for the boys' instruction in Latin and music a boarding school was founded, first mentioned in 1300. In 1413 Nicolaus Thirmann, the school's rector, drew up the first set of rules for the school. Among its other provisions, it set instruction fees to be paid the teachers by the boys, indeed in "socially appropriate" amounts. This certainly didn't mean a life of luxury for either teacher or pupil, the latter supplementing their existence through all sorts of second jobs, such as bellringing, transport services, or putting up hay.

The Refomation

Through the efforts of Philipp Melanchthon, in 1540 Sebaldus Baumann became the first cantor after the Reformation. In the 17th century the choir's cantors made good use of their close contacts to musicians of the Saxon court.

The 19th century

Later, Crucians were used in performances in the court opera house. Beyond that, until the end of the 19th century the Kreuzchor took part in services in both the Sophienkirche (Church of St. Sophia) and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Occasionally the life of the Crucians must have been quite exciting, as the Goose Thief Fountain near the Kreuzkirche reminds us today. Along with the Crucians in Canaletto's painting of the Frauenkirche or the flag-waving boys in the Fürstenzug (Parade of the Prince Electors) depicted on the royal stables, the fountain bears artistic witness to the choir's roots in Dresden.


Figure 2.--The Dresder Kreuz Chor is pictured here in a modern portrait about 2000 outside the Dresden ????.

The 20th century

We have no information on the choir during the early 20th century or the NAZI era. The Choir like the rest of Europe suffered in World War II. In the cae of the Choir it was at the very end of te War. The most dreadful event for both city and choir were the Allied air raids on February 13-14, 1945, to which both the Kreuzkirche and its academy, the Kreuzschule, fell victim. 11 Crucians lost their lives in the attacks. [HBC note: The Allied air campaign over Germany played a major role in the destruction of the Third Reich. The air raids on Dresden at the end of the War, however, have been sharply criticized. NAZI Germany by February 1945 was already collapsing. Dresden was not a city with important war industries and it was cramed with refugees from the east fleeing the Red Army and retribution of local populations that had suffered under brutal NAZI occupation. The civilian casulties in Dresden were the largest of any World War II raid in Europe.] The first post-War vespers took place in the burnt out Kreuzkirche on August 4, 1945. Still, the choir couldn't move back into its home again until some 10 years later. Through the tireless efforts of cantors Rudolf Mauersberger (serving 1930-71) and Martin Flaemig (serving 1971-91), the Kreuzchor was able to maintain its Christian ties and continue its artistic development. From Schuetz to Penderecki

Music

Only a very few other choirs have multi-faceted repertoires even approaching that of the Kreuzchor. Highest priority is, of course, the preservation of both sacred and secular a-capella music. Names such as that of Jacobus Gallus, Michael Praetorius, Giovanni Gabrieli, Johann Hermann Schein and Hans Leo Hassler represent the old masters whose works the Kreuzchor performs regularly. The music of Heinrich Schuetz, once Director of Music in Dresden at the Court of the Prince Elector of Saxony, has held a special place in the program for decades. In similar fashion the motettes of Johann Sebastian Bach are prominent, and part of many concerts as well are the motettes of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner and Max Reger.

Since time immemorial one of the highest callings of the Kreuzchor's cantors has been, during their time in service, to enrich the repertoire of the choir with their own compositions. Thus, by extension the music of the 20th century has come to represent a further point of emphasis. With vocal works from Guenter Raphael, Hugo Distler, Francis Poulenc, Benjamin Britten, and Krzysztof Penderecki in numerous premier performances, the Dresdner Kreuzchor repeatedly wins the attention and praise of music critics.

Concerts together with the Dresdner Philharmonic or the Saechsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Saxon State Orchestra) simply can no longer be excluded from the city's musical life. Johann Sebastian Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), his passions, masses, and cantatas as well as Ein deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms are performed annually in the Kreuzkirche: works with which the young singers enthuse audiences on tour also.

The Modern Choir

At the beginning of each school year approximately 25 boys are taken into the fourth form following an entrance examination. At the end of the 12th form, after receiving their Abitur (A-levels) and demonstrating their ability to matriculate at college, the Crucians' time in the Kreuzchor has come to an end as well. In between is a wonderful, often very strenuous period filled with concerts and appearances, consciousness of the responsibility of each individual, common schooltime, and personal friendship.

The Kreuzgymnasium

The Kreuzgymnasium in Dresden, at which along with 150 Crucians another 750 schoolchildren are educated, numbers itself as a modern Gymnasium (academiclly oriented German school) among the most renowned educational institutions in Saxony. During the school year 1997/1998 the Lutheran Church of Saxony assumed sponsorship of the school. After the destruction of its neogothic home on Georgplatz in the W945 World War II night bombing raids, the school found its domicile in the former Institute of Freemasonry on Eisenacher Strasse in the section of Dresden known as Striessen.

In order to guarantee the members of the choir an optimal education and individual attention, Crucians are instructed in their own classes from the 4th through the 7th school year. From the 8th year they learn in "mixed" classes with other schoolchildren at the Kreuzschule. At the highest level Crucians receive an intensive musical education in the form of a demanding supplementary course in music. The doubled strain due to the extensive demands of school and choir is quite a challenge. To attain the best possible academic performance, the educational capabilities of the teacher and the intellectual gifts and endurance of the Crucian are absolutely necessary.

The Choir

When instruction is finished, most of the schoolchildren at the Kreuzschule go home. Not the Crucians: Rehearsals are in the daily plan. Indeed the boys and young men have up to three hours voice group, register, and general rehearsals. Each Crucian receives individual voice training and learns to play an instrument, in most cases piano or violin. One can see why time each day must be devoted to instrument practice and time for homework.

The Alumnat

The Alumnat, the choir's living quarters, houses 90 Crucians: all the members of the 4th and 5th classes and the "non-locals," that is, those who don't live close enough for them to travel to and from their homes daily. Consisting of a living room and sleeping room, each suite is shared by six boys, all of the same age. For recreation and relaxation after the strains of rehearsal there is a library, a game room for the younger boys, a table tennis room, billiard tables, television rooms, and a computer room. The "Klause," the beer bar in the cellar, is operated by four young men in the 12th class. A special favorite is, of course, that well-known spherical leather object which receives its share of punishment on two pitches directly in front of the the Alumnat. Naturally the two football matches with Leipzig's Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Church Choir) are high points of the school year. On weekends for all who can't return home there's an offering of theatre and visits to the cinema or hikes and rock climbing in the region east of Dresden known as Saxon Switzerland. Experienced educators supervise the Crucians in the Alumnat. They understand the boys' small and often major concerns, are with them in their free time, and help with the accomplishment of schoolwork. Still, many everyday tasks are accomplished by the Crucians themselves: Choir prefects support the cantor in the work of rehearsal; Ratsdikantisten, known for short as "Ratser" see that the music folders are all complete for rehearsals and concerts; and the job of the house prefect is to help assure that life in the Alumnat runs like clockwork.

The Singers

Today approximately 150 Crucians between the ages of 9 and 19 belong to the Dresdner Kreuzchor. The choir performs primarily as a mixed mens' and boys' choir, the composition and number being determined by the works to be performed. The number traveling to guest appearances is about 80.

Recordings

Since 1934 large studios have regularly engaged the Kreuzchor for recording sessions. Works from very nearly all the epochs of music history have been immortalized to date. Since 1995 the Dresdner Kreuzchor is under contract with the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft.

Dresden and its Choir

Scarcely a single visitor to the city passes up an opportunity to take in an appearance of the Kreuzchor. On Saturday afternoons thousands stream to vespers with the Crucians in the Kreuzkirche. Indeed, for many Dresdners being among the faithful for vespers and in the audience for concerts has become so natural that they can't imagine the city without the Kreuzchor.

Evening Vespers

Vespers, which take place almost every Saturday, are musically arranged services lasting about one hour. For vespers, there is a cover charge of DM 2.-, including a program. For the half year including summer, vespers begin at 6:00 o'clock P.M., during the winter half year at 5:00 P.M. The Kreuzkirche is the starting point for the musical endeavors of the Kreuzchor. The arranging of the musica sacra for religious services and vespers harkens back to its original purpose and serves at the same time as the foundation for its artistic work. Among the musical and liturgical highpoints each year are Advent vesper services, the performances during Advent and Christmas, and the grand oratorios at Passiontide. With the Easter vespers and liturgy the Kreuzchor renews the message of the Ressurection. The annual cantata at Pentecost follows the Crusions' traditional singing tour conducted on foot in front of the church. Matins, a tradition handed down from the Middle Ages, is very special at 6:00 A.M. on Christmas Day and on Easter Sunday. Then the Crucians musically retell the story of happenings on those days.

At services the Crucians perform both as main choir from the choir balcony and as an altar choir, dressed in historical "walking" robes. This scola sings the Introit and the psalm verses. The epistle and the Gospel are sung in lesson tone by older members of the choir.

Kreuzchor international

From its liturgical tradition and rooted firmly in it, the Dresdner Kreuzchor belongs among the few choirs which have also become a consistent part of concert life. Again and again the Crucians are celebrated guests at churches and concert halls in Germany and throughout the world. Guest appearances have taken the choir since 1920 far beyond the confines of Germany and Europe to Japan, Israel, Canada, and the United States. The choir usually makes three major tours a year. To that come many appearances in the German-speaking region of Europe. The appreciation shown the boys during their performances is well-deserved. Without their dedication and effort, the choir's high standards could not be maintained, and the happy experience of a successful concert would be denied them.

Recruitment

For someone interested in becoming a Crucian, a beautiful singing voice is required, and he must be between the ages of 6-9 years. Following a test of suitability the musical preparation up to the entrance examination is individually administered. Boys from Dresden and environs can come to Singestunde (singing hour) in the second half of their first school year. In the following year they are given in small groups the basics of music theory. After successful completion of an intermediate test, they are brought together into preparatory class three. The children then go to a primary school class administered by the Kreuzgymnasium and receive further intensive instruction in music. Boys who come from outside Dresden to us receive the requisite preparation at a music school or with their own cantor locally. The entrance examination at the end of the third class must indeed be taken by each boy.

Choir life

Choir members live in the Alumnat, the Kreuzchor's dormitory. Crucians who don't come from Dresden live here through their 12th year. On free weekends and on school holidays they can return of course to their homes. The Kreuzgymnasium and the Alumnat are situated in Striesen, one of the most beutiful areas of Dresden, quite near the River Elbe. Directly behind the school is a beautiful park with a playground. Teachers are responsible for looking after the Crucians. They help with schoolwork and with personal problems. The older boys take care of the younger ones as well. And, when homesickness gets the better of one, there's always the telephone.

Career opportunities

Not every Crucian begins a career as an professional musician following his Abitur, but his musical and academic training open manifold possibilities to him in selecting a university and his profession. The time in school, influenced by music and life in community, the experience of one's own performance, and the ability to reach the highest concentration exactly at the right moment - all this points to personal resources developed for the future, whatever shape it might take for each individual.

Choir Costume

We have no information on what the Dresdner Kreuzchor choristers wore during the long history. We have noted one image showing the choir about 1960. Based on a record jacket, a HBC reader reports that the young men wear a white shirt and a black suit with a tie. The boys a white shirt with a black jacket and short trousers with grey kneesocks. This might be a travelling suit, but the sourroundings in the picture are rather ecclastical. The picture is a historical one, taken while the GDR still exsisted (before 1990).







Christopher Wagner





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Created: May 16, 2002
Last updated: May 20, 2002