Introducing the story of the world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir in “Austria’s Angelic Voices – The Vienna Boys’ Choir”, brought to you exclusively by VOICE OF ASIA. As previously seen in Passions, Volume 45, owned by The IBR Asia Group.
There are few aural indulgences more pleasurable than listening to a chorus with all its members in perfect harmony with one another. Those who have had the privilege of hearing the world-renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir perform can testify to the veracity of that statement. Boasting a storied heritage dating as far back as 1498 when it was set up by a decree of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the Vienna Boys’ Choir – or Wiener Sängerknaben as it is called in its native German – has kept its traditions of excellence for more than five centuries.
Today, the choir comprises 100 boys of ages 10 to 15, who are placed in four touring choirs named after great composers, namely Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and Bruckner. We managed to catch up with the members of the Hadyn Choir (Hadynchor) when they were in Malaysia during their tour of Asia, for an up-close and personal look.
Meet The Choirmaster
Leading the troupe is none other than the choirmaster Kerem Sezen, a man who shares a common trait with his young charges in that he too was a childhood musical prodigy. Relaxing after another well-received concert – this time before a Malaysian audience – Kerem related to us on how his own path and that of the Vienna Boys’ Choir met.
Having started playing the piano at the age of 6, before joining a children’s choir, Kerem’s musical odyssey eventually led him to become a teacher in a music school where he would supervise and manage various choirs. However, much unlike George Bernard Shaw’s famous witticism about doers and teachers, Kerem is who is able to both teach and do, and has also performed as a freelance singer in various operas and operettas.
It was that talent which brought him to the attention of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. “One day I was returning from a musical in Graz when my mobile phone rang,” Kerem reminisced. “I answered it and it was Gerald Wirth, who is the artistic director of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. He asked me if I would like to take up a position with the Choir, and if I did, to come see him that evening. Of course, I couldn’t say no, and you know what happened next,” he smiled.
Looking back at his nine years with the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Kerem admitted that there are some challenges, not least of all being in charge of 24 precocious young boys. “Sometimes you have very talented kids who are very focused, and who give their entire attention to their task. Then there are those who need a bit more persuasion, a bit of cajoling and encouragement to make it fun and exciting for them,” he said.
In other words, it is very much like being a mentor, confidant, and coach all rolled into one. Describing his role as being “more than just a mere teacher but less than that of being an uncle”, Kerem revealed that the boys and he spend a lot of time together… 275 days in fact. “They see me more than their parents. And I see them more than I see my girlfriend!” he laughed.
There is no doubt that the time spent together – not only during practice and performance, but also when they go sightseeing and play football – has caused strong bonds to develop between Kerem and his charges.
Calling to mind some of alumni of the Vienna Boys’ Choir who have performed under him, Kerem noted that a number are already in their 20s, and have started fledging yet successful careers in music. For Kerem Sezen, the knowledge that he played a part in their formation, is one of the most fulfilling rewards he can receive from the job.
