Austria's young Ambassadors, the Vienna Boys share
some experiences with Esther Williams
Messengers of music
To be able to tour the world is for many of us a chance in a lifetime.
But to visit new places and people, be exposed to different cultures and
cuisines all between 10 and 14 years of age, is indeed quite remarkable.
With angelic voices and faces to match, the 23-member Vienna Boys Choir
visiting Sri Lanka this week were at the tail-end of a two-month long world
tour that had seen them performing in the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo,
South Korea and Taiwan. Here in Sri Lanka, they sang to packed audiences
at St. Theresa's Church, Thimbirigasyaya, the Colombo Hilton and the Sugathadasa
Indoor Stadium.
But touring is not all hard work and no play. The Vienna Boys who are
ambassadors of Austria, also visited the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela,
sang for the children at Lady Ridgeway Hospital and were introduced to
Sri Lanka's favourite sport, yes, cricket, by master batsman Aravinda de
Silva himself.
To be in the Vienna Boys Choir, one of the most prestigious children's
choirs in the world which dates back to the 14th century is no mean achievement.
Very often the handpicked young choristers have to forgo activities that
other children of their age enjoy.
Although it does not require the intensive and rigorous training that
gymnasts or ballet dancers go through, it does require hard work and dedication.
Each of them is trained to be a 'messenger of music'.
Back in Vienna, in their Baroque Palace choir school home, the Augartenpalais
the young lads practise for two hours every day. Alex (13), now in grade
III has been a chorister for the past 2 1/2 years. Prior to that he was
in the preparational choir for four years. To get into the prep choir,
a boy should be able to sing a melody and keep to the rhythm. A voice test
after a couple of years at the prep choir would decide if he can join one
of the four touring choirs.
Alex enjoys singing the lighter, contemporary songs more than the classical
ones. Besides being in the choir Alex has time for other hobbies such as
swimming and cycling, he says.
It is the first year of being in the choir for Shandor (11). On this
particular tour, the choir has rehearsed songs and music from different
parts of the world, entitled 'Journey round the world.' Having sung songs
from the countries already visited, they also have ready a Sinhalese song,
which Shandor finds a little difficult.
"I miss my parents," smiles little Amrit (12), a very Sri Lankan looking
Indian who is proud to be a part of the choir. He and half-Japanese Rene
(12) add an Asian touch to the group. Both the boys have been brought up
in Vienna and therefore speak mostly German. Amrit who plays the violin
also enjoys swimming, gymnastics and drawing.
During this tour, two trained caretakers have been in charge of the
well-being of the children who incidentally are not allowed citrus drinks
or chilled water. Two parents who are also trustees of the Vienna Boys
Choir have accompanied the group.
"The organizers are under a strict contract with regard to food and
other arrangements. Although western food is provided, the boys are open
to trying out mild Sri Lankan food," says Ms. Jesse Muller who along with
her husband Paul Muller were the main organizers of the concert. The Vienna
Boys Choir concerts were a result of an initiative of Mr. Paul Muller,
President of the Organising Committee. All proceeds from the concerts will
go to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.
Parents of the choir members are allowed to attend any of the concerts
or visit the children, in whichever country they are in and when they do,
seats are reserved for them.
The children themselves are free to call or fax their parents whenever
they like. This certainly makes the separation easier for them.
While on tour the boys have a 1 1/2 hour warm-up session before each
concert. "They are normal boys who engage in different leisure activities,"
says Choir Conductor Martin Schebesta who is only strict when it comes
to music.
It is usually at the age of 14 that a boy's voice cracks which means
he can no longer be in the choir. Recruiting and training new voices is
therefore an on-going process.
Besides conducting, the 38-year-old Mr. Schebesta also plays the piano
as accompanist. He has also been responsible for some of the musical arrangements,
a few of which have been specially composed for this tour. Almost all the
songs are sung in 3-4 part harmony, while some are done 'a cappella' (without
accompaniment) that helps an audience appreciate more fully their exceptional
voices. Solo singing and instrumental music have also been included in
the programme.
"Music is a universal language that everyone understands. With so much
hostility among people and nations, it is music that can help people get
together," says Mr. Schebesta. "People around the world are not so different,
they share the same feelings and have more in common than we realize."
What they sing
Formed in 1498, the choir's repertoire was originally for the Emperor Maximillian
and featured mainly church music. It was relaunched as a private institution
in 1920 and started touring to raise funds as they did not have support
from the government.
Today the choir consists of 100 choristers between 10 and 14 are divided
into four touring choirs.The four choirs are named after four composers
who were associated with the choir-Bruckner, Hayden, Mozart and Schubert.
They give over 300 performances each year. Each group performs 9-10 weeks
of the year on tour around the world. Besides church and classical music
they do traditional and contemporary music too. They have had the privilege
of being conducted by Zubin Mehta and Richardo Meele amongst others. Music
for the movie 'Primal Fear' was done by the Vienna Boys Choir. Celebrities
whom the Vienna Boys have performed for include Jimmy Carter, Napoleon
Bonaparte, Diana Spencer and Bill Clinton. This is their third visit to
Sri Lanka. |
