PAX
with the World Youth Choir.
Daniel Reuss, conductor.
The World Youth Choir presents PAX, a programme dedicated to peace with works in different styles and from different periods. It begins with the intense Friede auf Erden by Schönberg and continues with the spiritual perspective of Schnittke. Martin and Vaughan Williams evoke the depth of the Shakespeare’s work with Full Fathom Five. Vasks reflects on love in Actus caritatis, whereas Mendelssohn provides joy. Knight arouses introspection with Walking with Thomas Hardy. The traditional Catalan El cant dels ocells and O vos omnes by Pau Casals are highlighted. Finally, Peace by Anna Campany Duch ends with a message of hope for modern times.
PERFORMERS
Founded in 1989, the World Youth Choir (WYC) brings together up to 100 young singers from around the world between the ages of 17 and 26 for a session and a tour each year. Recognised as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, it has performed at international events such as the Olympic Games and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Members are selected each year through national auditions overseen by an international jury, organising a three-week session in a different country. The youngsters rehearse intensely during this period before going on tour. The WYC promotes cultural exchange, musical excellence and friendship, has over 1000 alumni from 75 countries, and has performed more than 300 concerts in 37 countries.
CONDUCTOR
Daniel Reuss studied with Barend Schuurman at the Rotterdam Conservatory. In 1990, he became the conductor of Cappella Amsterdam, which he turned into a full-time professional choir and is now one of the most sought-after in The Netherlands. From 2008 to 2013, he was also the artistic director and chief conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. In 2010, he was nominated for a Grammy for the “best choral performance” for the CD he recorded with both choirs together (Frank Martins Golgotha). In the summer of 2006, Daniel Reuss taught and conducted at the Summer 2006 Lucerne Festival Academy, as a guest of Pierre Boulez. In February 2007, Reuss made his début with the English National Opera with a Händel’s Agrippina. In 2008, he conducted at De Munt/La Monnaie in Brussels, with stage director Sasha Waltz’s production of Dido & Aeneas. From 2008 to 2013, he was the artistic director and chief conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Daniel Reuss has been invited to conduct chamber ensembles and orchestras throughout Europe. These include the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, MusikFabrik, Scharoun Ensemble, and the Radio Chamber Philharmonic. As of 2015, Daniel Reuss is chief conductor of Ensemble Vocal Lausanne.