the gold standard in a cappella
08/09 Season Tour Period:
2009: February 20 through March 1

featured artists at national AGO convention, Los Angeles, 2004
featured artists at national ALCM convention, New York City, 2005

"If Ensemble Amarcord is performing anywhere near you, it would be criminal to miss them." (Stereophile, New York, 2008)

"A musical miracle from Leipzig." (Saarbrücker Zeitung, Germany)

"Raised the hairs on the back of my neck when I heard them live.
Book them. Right away. I guarantee goosebumps." (Stereophile, New York)

"I was quite astonished by the excellence of the group in every aspect, from tonal quality to homogeneous ensemble to interpretive insight." (Fanfare magazine)

Five former choristers of the famous St. Thomas Boys Choir in Leipzig have emerged in the past few years as continental Europe's finest male a cappella quintet. The blend of humor, charm, elegance, flawless intonation, rarely heard homogeneity and unwavering vocal virtuosity have left audiences delighted since the ensemble's debut in 1992.

Amarcord has won a number of top international prizes in the field, including the Grand Prix Choir Competition in Spain (1995), the International Mendelssohn Competition (1999), the German Music Competition (2000), the International Choir Competition in Finland (1999), and the first Choir Olympiad in Austria (2000). In 2002 the ensemble took top honors in the Deutscher Musikwettbewerb. Amarcord swept both classical categories in the 2006 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARA), winning both Best Classical Album and Best Classical Song. In addition, Amarcord also won the runner up CARA in both categories for 2006. Best Classical Album was "Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland," and the runner up was "Incessament," both by Amarcord. Best Classical Song was "Sanctus Incessament" and the runner up was "Sic Deus Dilexit," both from the CD "Incessament" by Amarcord.

They have performed coast-to-coast in the United States, making two tours here each season, as well as in Canada, Asia and throughout Europe. At home in Leipzig, they recently performed their tenth anniversary concert in the famous Gewandhaus, and two months later performed there twice with the Gewandhaus Orchestra. In July 2004, ensemble amarcord was the featured choral ensemble at the national convention of the American Guild of Organists in Los Angeles. In July 2005 they were featured artists at the national convention of the American Lutheran Church Musicians in New York City. They have also sung at a number of conferences and events of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2007 Amarcord made its London debut at Wigmore Hall and recorded live performances for the BBC.

Amarcord's programming versatility is suggested by the range of the ensemble's first three compact discs: "Insalata a cappella" featuring secular music through the ages; ballads, catches, madrigals, folk songs, opera parodies, spirituals, etc.; "In adventu Domini" featuring music for Advent and Christmas from Gregorian chant to Gospel, from Germany to Trinidad and Dufay to Mauersberger; and "Hear the Voice" featuring spiritual works from different centuries. Among other CD releases is their latest, "And So It Goes...", an album of popular and show tunes.

"Perfectly rapturous." (Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh)

"Amarcord deserve the highest credit...distinguished by superb vocal quality,
including secure and expressive countertenors and basses with commanding
presences and impressive low notes...not to be missed."
(Gramophone, London)

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