14 December 2009
Hamburg's Senate Honors Gothart Stier,
the Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir of Hamburg
During a festive Christmas concert in The Hamburg Laeiszhalle on 13 December 2009, the Senator for Culture of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Dr. Karin von Welck, honored the Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir of Hamburg, Gothart Stier, with the Biermann-Rathjen Medal.
In its session of 17 November 2009, the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg resolved to honor the Leipzig-born conductor, who has successfully directed the choir for over 15 years, for his contributions to music in the Hanseatic city.
As its Artistic Director, Gothart Stier, who was born in Magdeburg in 1938, has left his mark on the Monteverdi Choir, which is part of Hamburg University's "Akademische Musikpflege" (academic music appreciation), turning it into a important representative of Hamburg's musical landscape.
In her laudatory speech, the Senator said, "As the Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir, Gothart Stier has enriched Hamburg's musical landscape with diverse activities and new impulses by offereing a diverse and challenging concert program of choir and church music."
The Monteverdi Choir, which was founded by Jürgen Jürgens in 1955, has been part of the Akademische Musikpflege (academic music appreciation) of the University of Hamburg since 1961. It was directed by Jürgen Jürgens, who was the University Music Director from 1961 to 1993. Following Jürgens' death, Gothart Stier took over as Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir in 1994.
The Biermann-Ratjen Medal, sponsored by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg since 1978, honors people or groups which have made significant artistic or cultural contributions to the city of Hamburg. The medal can also be awarded to projects which contribute in a unique or special fashion to Hamburg's cultural character and reputation.
Contact:Ursula Jürgens
Management
MONTEVERDI-CHOR HAMBURG
Telephone: (040) 600 71 41
Fax (040) 600 71 42
www.Monteverdi-Chor.de
