INTERVIEW: History meets history, as Vienna Boys Choir prepares for Carnegie Hall
Photo: The Vienna Boys Choir will play Carnegie Hall in New York City. Photo courtesy of Lukas Beck / Provided by Opus 3 Artists website.
The world-famous Vienna Boys Choir will finish its American holiday tour with a special concert Sunday, Dec. 18 at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The vaunted historic nature of the celebrated music hall is only matched by the choir’s own history, which is formidable. They have been traveling around the world, in one form or another, for more than six centuries, an almost unheard-of feat of continuity.
When they play New York City, the Vienna Boys Choir will bring their unique choral takes on Christmas classics, some of which will be known to the audience and hummable, while others are rare and being given new consideration. One can definitely expect some Austrian folk songs in the mix for the two-hour show, but the choir has always respected the holiday music of other cultures as well. In fact, the boys themselves are from diverse families located around the globe.
Listeners can enjoy everything from “El burrito de Belén (The Little Donkey from Bethelem)” by Venezuelan composer Hugo Blanco to “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” a 16th-century carol. Plus, there will be spirited renditions of Joseph Haydn’s “Abendlied zu Gott (Evening Song for God)” and Pat Ballard’s “Mister Santa,” among other selections.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Oliver Stech, conductor of the choir’s current touring group. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How does it feel to be back touring the United States following the postponements due to COVID?
It’s a very special tour for me and all of the boys. Since 2020, all choirs of the VBC couldn‘t do any tours at all, so this is the very first tour for every boy of my choir. The boys were very much looking forward to experience what it means to be on such a long trip with all the concerts and so many new things and places to see!
What are you particularly excited to present to audiences on this tour?
Our Christmas programme is a very diverse selection of music. I‘m especially excited to show the audience our traditional Christmas carols from Austria and Germany. Furthermore we have a wonderful song from the Movie The Preacher‘s Wife (featuring the great Whitney Houston) in our repertoire for the first time, called “Who Would Imagine a King.”
Is it special finishing the tour at such a historic venue like Carnegie Hall?
Yes, absolutely. It’s wonderful to have the highlight at the very end of our tour. The venue with its splendid acoustics and the great opportunity to perform there is a highlight in the life of every member of the VBC.
How difficult is it to be a member of the Vienna Boys Choir? Is the workload manageable?
Of course, the members of our institution don‘t get as much free time as other kids their age. There is school, rehearsals, many concerts, and sometimes a whole day could be a day of different duties. But the boys who decide to be a choir boy get used to the tight schedule, and on the other hand we offer them a lot of things during their free time on tour or also at our boarding school in Vienna.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Vienna Boys Choir will play Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
