Das große Adventskonzert Dresdner Kreuzchor

Shortly before Christmas, when more than 25,000 people flock to the stadium for the big Advent concert and hundreds of thousands of TV viewers take their seats in their living rooms, that's when Christmas really begins for many Dresdeners. What began in 2015 as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the world-famous Dresdner Kreuzchor has now become one of the biggest and most beautiful Christmas events in Germany: flanked by stars from the international music world, one of the best boys' choirs in the world presents the most famous Christmas melodies in classical and modern arrangements. Just in time for Christmas 2020, the new studio album is finally available.

The new album captures the unique atmosphere of this special event on double CD and brings it into the living room. With the eight-century-old Dresdner Kreuzchor under the direction of Roderich Kreile at the center, the Cross Bell Orchestra, renowned band and studio musicians from all over Germany who, under the direction of Peter Christian Feigel, are the perfect musical partners of the Kruzianer for the studio album. Sensitively and with great joy in playing and singing, they bring the demanding arrangements of the Christmas classics to life.

The album features long term acquaintances of the Adventskonzert as well as new musical partners of the Kreuzchor: In a duet with the choir, rock legend Peter Maffay enchants with his Tabaluga hit "Nessaja - Ich wollte nie erwachsen sein" ("Nessaja - I never wanted to be grown up"), while Finnish star soprano Camilla Nylund brings the atmosphere of Scandinavian Christmas to Germany. Tenor Klaus Florian Vogt, at home on all stages of the world and also a guest on the album, is featured with "O holy Night" and "Adeste fidelis". Musical and soul accents are set by Sabrina Weckerlin, who adds another facet to the special genre mix. The same goes for Finnish trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth and her very own Christmas sound. The Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, read by Samuel Koch, rounds off the new studio album.

The genesis makes it clear that this album is something special: under strict hygienic conditions, the recording had to be split up as in a pop music production - from the band to the individual vocal groups to the soloists - which was a completely new challenge, especially for the young boys, which they mastered brilliantly. Through the commitment of all involved, an album is thus created despite all adversities, which brings a piece of normality to an extraordinary Christmas.