En­sem­bles

Blick auf das MHL-Sinfonieorchester auf der Bühne der Musik- und Kongresshalle Lübeck (MuK) während der Eröffnungskonzert zum Brahms-Festival.

Ensemble playing is an essential part of music studies. In addition to various chamber music groups that have formed during their studies and often continue their professional careers afterwards, larger ensembles ensure artistic continuity. The most important MHL ensembles include the MHL Symphony Orchestra, the MHL Choir, the MHL Ensembles for Early and Contemporary Music, the MHL Instrument Builders Ensemble, the ICE, the MHL Big Band, the MHL Pop Choir and the MHL Pop Orchestra. 

MHL Sym­pho­ny Or­ches­tra

Three times a year, the MHL Symphony Orchestra meets for one to two weeks of intensive rehearsals. During this time, the orchestra first works on symphonic works and opera productions in sectional rehearsals led by MHL lecturers. Under the baton of renowned guest conductors, the orchestra then performs a wide range of symphonic repertoire, as well as Baroque and modern works, in the MHL's large concert hall. In recent years, Lothar Zagrosek and Ton Koopman, for example, have elicited enthusiasm and thunderous applause from performers and audiences alike with their special repertoire.

MHL Choirs

The MHL choirs are an important part of the university's artistic profile. They offer students from all degree programmes the opportunity to learn and perform a wide repertoire of choral music under professional guidance. The ensembles – including the MHL Choir and the MHL Chamber Choir – regularly give concerts in Germany and abroad, perform at university events and participate in collaborative projects with partners both within and outside the university. The repertoire ranges from the 16th century to the present day, from a cappella compositions to choral symphonic programmes, including Haydn's »The Creation«, Britten's »War Requiem«, Vaughn Williams' »Sea Symphony«, Stravinsky's »Psalm Symphony« and »Les Noces«, as well as the world premiere of Dieter Mack's »Ical« as part of the Brahms Festival at the MuK in Lübeck.

MHL Chamber Music En­sem­bles

Chamber music has been highly valued and intensively promoted at the MHL from the very beginning. It is an integral part of the curriculum and enables students to gain new experiences in all areas of ensemble playing. This allows ensembles to form that remain together beyond their studies and become an integral part of cultural life. Prominent examples of this are the Artemis Quartet, the Esmé Quartet and the Leonkoro Quartet, which were founded at the MHL.

Other En­sem­bles and Bands

In various ensembles, the MHL does justice to the stylistic diversity of a wide range of genres and musical cultures. Students from all degree programmes can develop their skills on almost any instrument in areas such as jazz, free improvisation, rock and pop, soul, klezmer, tango and Brazilian music. Lessons are taught by specialists in the various genres. The ensembles include:

  • the MHL Big Band
  • the MHL Pop Choir
  • the MHL Pop Orchestra

With this programme, the MHL is responding to the demand for big band, pop choir and band coaching in schools. By supplementing their studies with literature ranging from swing to jazz rock, from gospel to pop songs and ethnic music, and by combining big band and jazz strings to form a pop orchestra, the MHL fulfils the requirements for future-oriented training for musical professions. At the end of each semester, highlights include projects such as »Anna Margaretha – Das Buxtehude Musical«, the »MHL Revue« and the »Werkstatt Popularmusik« (Popular Music Workshop), which are organised under the responsibility of Prof. Bernd Ruf.