In collaboration with PASSIONS, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in PASSIONS Volume 45 in 2013, we present this story on the Vienna Boys Choir, and how these angelic voices continue to enchant people the world over for centuries to come.
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. PASSIONS managed to catch up with the members of the Hadyn Choir (Hadynchor) when they were in Malaysia during their recent 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 PASSIONS 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.
The boys pipe in …
Having finished their dinner, the boys soon joined Kerem and PASSIONS – well, four of them at least, namely Timmy – aged 9, Vincent – aged 10, Fabian – aged 10 and Floren – aged 11. Amazingly, despite having performed not so long ago, they were still full of energy. We could not help but smile at their enthusiasm, while at the same time give a sympathetic mental nod to Kerem who has to oversee these young dynamos.
Each had a different path to the Choir, of course. Vincent for example was persuaded to join by his elder brother who is an alumnus, while Floren’s path to the stage came about after his best friend became a member. Yet, no matter how they got there, the boys all agreed that being in the Choir has enabled them to make friends with one another, and that such ties will still be there after they leave the group.
It has also, of course, allowed them to indulge in their interest. Not surprisingly, the boys differ in their choice of favourite song to perform. For Vincent and Fabian, it is Moses, while Floren showed more eclectic taste when he named We Are The World as well as a Malaysian tune Sayang Kinabalu as his picks. Surprisingly, Timmy – the youngest of the four – had the most classical taste, and his vote when to Schütz’s Today Jesus Christ is Born or Heute ist Christus der Herr geboren as it is better known in German.
And then there’s the travelling, which they also claimed as one of the perks of performing. Being able to see the world, while doing what they like best – singing – is surely a source of great joy for the boys. “I like visiting the Austrian embassies,” Vincent piped in with an impish glint in his eye. “They serve good food, the ambassadors speak German, and they are all nice to me!”
Talking about food, the boys were united in agreement that one of the best things about visiting Malaysia is the “good, spicy food” found here. Then there is the natural beauty of the country which has obviously snared their hearts, with Mount Kinabalu being a favourite sight of theirs in particular.
By then it was time for the boys to retire to bed, which led to us asking how they wind down after a day of rehearsals and performances? Always the mischievous one, Vincent cried out “Lady Gaga music!” while Floren thoughtfully said, “I think about life”. The other two prefer to read during their down time.
Perhaps, this goes to show that – despite their jet-setting ways and the lifestyle that goes with it – the boys are not too different from the rest of their peers. But then again, many in their age group cannot claim to have delighted audiences the world over with their angelic voices. And for that, PASSIONS salutes these young men of the Vienna Boys’ Choir.
