Join us for the world premiere of a remarkable new recording of Johannes Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem, created through a ground-breaking collaboration between Choir of the Earth and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.

The Bergen Philharmonic's acclaimed performance took place at the Grieghallen on 22 March 2024, conducted by Edward Gardner and featuring Johanna Wallroth and Brian Mulligan as soloists, with the Chorus under the direction of Håkon Matti Skrede. High-quality recordings were taken at this performance, capturing the depth and nuance of the orchestra and chorus in vivid detail, and providing the basis for this ambitious project.

Choir of the Earth then brought its distinctive expertise in online music-making to the partnership. Under the direction of Musical Director Ben England, singers around the world learned and rehearsed the Requiem using the exclusive materials drawn from the Bergen Philharmonic, then recorded their individual parts from their homes around the world. Some singers learned and recorded multiple vocal parts - an opportunity not possible for singers performing in person.

These individual recordings have now been skilfully blended with the Bergen Philharmonic’s recordings, creating a striking new performance - a true marriage of live and recorded music that bridges time, space and tradition. It unites the grandeur of one of Europe's leading orchestras with the global reach and shared purpose of Choir of the Earth's international community.

The world premiere of this recording will be live-conducted by Ben England on YouTube on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 18:30 BST (UK time) and is free for everyone to attend. Those who cannot attend live are welcome to catch up later at the same link.

We do hope you will join us to experience Brahms' masterpiece in a form that reflects the very spirit of his music - human, heartfelt and profoundly connected.