Emotional journey: Chamber choir Wilhelmshaven enchants Greenland with Brahms

Emotional journey: Chamber choir Wilhelmshaven enchants Greenland with Brahms

Music connects, and this spiritual idea became very clear in the last few days during the Wilhelmshaven Chamber Choir's trip to Greenland. The choir traveled to perform the Brahms Requiem together with the “Nordisk Koncertcor”. The approximately 60 participants not only experienced musical heights, but also emotional encounters that will be remembered. How NWZ Online reported that the group's first impression was mixed: “No snow, a lot of gray, stones and rocks,” was the tenor of the arrival in Uummannaq.

Nevertheless, the director of the choir, church musician Gerrit Junge, was not discouraged. He spoke of a “positive change in emotions” during the trip, which lasted a total of five days. The reason for the trip was a performance in the Greenland capital Nuuk, where Johannes Brahms' Requiem was performed. The entire effort was borne by the Goethe Institute and other sponsors, with a budget of around 80,000 euros.

Cultural encounters and challenges

The journey turned out to be a real challenge as many flights were canceled due to the weather. But the choir's plane landed on time and rehearsals with the Greenlandic choir began immediately after arrival, which were held in English. In this unusual combination of mourning music cultures, the musicians were able to combine the traditional sounds of Greenland with Western compositions. The project enriched not only the musicians, but also the 300 school children who took part in a workshop.

In Uummannaq, the participants met young people from the northernmost children's home in the world. These encounters and the sharing of stories and songs created impressive moments that touched the hearts of those involved. “A key moment” – that’s how many of the participants described it. A feeling of community and understanding solidarity emerged.

A concert for eternity

The concert itself, which took place at the Katuaq Cultural Center in Nuuk, was another highlight. It was sold out with around 450 visitors, and there was even a TV station on site to document the event. The listeners attentively watched the performance of the solo voices of Ute Engelke (soprano) and Manfred Bittner (bass), who had come especially from Germany, supported by the pianists Simon Kasper and Sigi Hanger.

Special features such as the brief applause after the concert were fascinating and highlighted the cultural differences. But Greenlanders' initial distrust of the Requiem turned into loud enthusiasm during an after-show party that capped the event.

The trip was rounded off with a boat tour along the coast and exploration of the impressive nature. The Wilhelmshaven Chamber Choir has not only crossed musical boundaries, but also built a bridge to another culture. A return visit to Wilhelmshaven is already planned next year - a sign of how music can connect different peoples. For this project, which promotes international cultural exchange, the conditions are optimally met by the Goethe Institute Chamber Choir Wilhelmshaven describes.