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Choir and Orchestra

MacMillan and choir

From Bach to Pärt - the Composer in Residence on the podium
© James Bellorini

5/10

Sunday | 5/10/2026
11:00 am Start of Concert
Kulturpalast, Konzertsaal
Prices
64 | 53 | 45 | 39 | 29 | 22 €
FLEX fee + 6 €
Reduced prices:
from €10 for pupils under 18 
from €10 for young people under 30
from 11 € for Dresden-Pass and SB from GdB 80
8 € for last minute
Who receives discounts? Read here.

About the Concert

Bach - Britten - Pärt - MacMillan: on the "Day of Liberation" on May 8th, we musically bridge to Great Britain with our Philharmonic Choirs and present a program that explores different musical approaches to themes such as peace, remembrance, and spirituality. In his "Sinfonia da Requiem," Benjamin Britten combines liturgical elements with his personal musical language. Created against the backdrop of World War II, the composition stands as a monument and plea for peace and humanity. Arvo Pärt's "Da pacem Domine" combines meditative calmness and a clear, simple aesthetic. Pärt's minimalist sound language elevates the Latin plea for peace into a timeless, universal dimension. However, the musical core of the concert consists of two works by our Composer in Residence, who also conducts. Particularly poignant are his "Cantos Sagrados." "When writing this piece, I wanted to compose something that is both timeless and contemporary, both sacred and secular," he says. The result is a moving work for choir and orchestra that is particularly touching under his direction.

Program

Arvo Pärt
"Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten"

Sir James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Os Mutorum" for women's choir and harp

Arvo Pärt
"Da pacem Domine" for choir and orchestra

Sir James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" for children's choir, two trumpets, and organ

Johann Sebastian Bach
"Komm süßer Tod" for choir

Benjamin Britten
"Sinfonia da Requiem" for orchestra

Sir James MacMillan (Composer in Residence)
"Cantos Sagrados" for choir and orchestra

Artists

James MacMillan
Conductor
Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden
Philharmonischer Chor Dresden
Chorus 116
Kammerchor des Universitätschor Dresden
Dresdner Philharmonie

Biographies

James MacMillan

Composer in Residence Season 25/26

Our Composer in Residence introduces himself. More pictures & videos of Sir James MacMillan can be found here.

As composer in residence, James MacMillan is contributing a selection of his numerous works to the Dresden Philharmonic's 2025/26 season. He will conduct a concert of choral works himself, while another program will be taken over by his Scottish compatriot Donald Runnicles. Since James MacMillan's first major success with “The Confession of Isobel Gowdie” at the BBC Proms in 1990, he has become one of the most important composers of today, receiving commissions from well-known orchestras and soloists on a regular basis.

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Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden

The Philharmonische Kinderchor Dresden is one of the most well-known and successful children's choirs in Germany and can look back on a history of over fifty years. 140 girls and boys currently sing in the choir's various formations, sometimes in performances with the Dresden Philharmonic and sometimes in their own concerts. The programs include works from the Renaissance to the 21st century, from many countries and cultures, from folk songs to pop adaptations.

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Philharmonischer Chor Dresden

The Dresden Philharmonic Choir has been active for over 55 years, since it was founded in 1967 on the initiative of Kurt Masur. The approximately 70 singers perform the demanding choral work in their free time. They give concerts with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the respective chief and guest conductors, collaborate with other choirs and orchestras and perform a cappella programs in and outside of Dresden. Iris Geißler has led the ensemble since October 2022.

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Chorus 116

The return of our esteemed teacher and choir director Christian Hauschild to Dresden prompted a group of friends and former members of the Kreuzschule choir to reunite in 2005 for a joint concert, performing J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Cantatas 1-3.

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Dresdner Philharmonie

Top Class!

That is the claim of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra stands for concerts at the highest artistic level, musical education for all ages and looking beyond the musical horizon. Guest performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guests from all over the world have established the reputation of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in the international classical music world.  

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