Fairy tales have enchanted, entertained, and inspired generations. In this programme, fairies, elves, mermen, witches, and Robin Hood and Pinocchio all make an appearance. The boys will sing a wide-ranging repertoire, including well-known Japanese and Austrian songs: a truly magical experience.

Johann Strauss’s Arabian Nights waltz opens the programme. The second piece is a 16th century madrigal touching on the legend of Robin Hood and an anecdote of a real-life actor and contemporary of William Shakespeare. Robert Schumann’s merman creates a splash; the concert continues with Mendelssohn’s Elves’ chorus from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Anton Bruckner then conjures up childhood dreams around midnight, and two children’s songs by Francis Poulenc explore the dreams of a dog and a hedgehog respectively. Rentaro Taki’s popular “Hana” is another highlight. It is followed by two songs from “The Sound of Music”, “Edelweiss” and “The Lonely Goatherd”. The boys end the first half of the programmed with a spirited rendition of “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”.

In the second half, the choirboys strike a Bulgarian note, offer yodels from the Austrian Alps. Teiichi Okano’s melancholy song of home, Furusato, and two pieces by Joe Hisaishi underline the Choir’s strong connection to Japan after almost 70 years of touring the land of the rising sun. From Studio Ghibli, the programme moves to Walt Disney’s Pinocchio. In “One Short Day” from the musical “Wicked”, the Choir visits the Emerald City before ending with a homage to Vienna: The St. Anna’s Day polka by Johann Strauss is followed by a song about blossoming trees in the Prater by Robert Stolz. The programme closes with the most famous of all waltzes, Johann Strauss’s “Blue Danube”.
Provided by Vienna Boys Choir

The diversity and beauty of the four seasons is reflected in the wonderfully romantic music of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Debussy, and Gershwin. With songs like “Furusato”, “Paprika”, “Hotaru koi” and Strauss’s Blue Danube waltz, we want to highlight Austria’s deep connection with Japan.

In this programme, the Vienna Boys Choir takes the audience through an entire year, beginning with autumn, and a world premiere: Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo wrote a new version of his eponymous motet especially for the Choir and for this year’s tour of Japan. The music evokes autumn colours and childhood memories, while firmly placing singers and audience in the now. The Choir continues with a Renaissance lied about the falling leaves, and a lively duet by Mendelssohn. “Ellen’s second song” relates the story of a hunt; an episode from Sir Walter Scott’s popular “Lady of the Lake” – Franz Schubert scored it for soprano solo and three-part choir. Autumn ends with the dreamlike ”Agnus Dei” from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.

Winter approaches with Mendelssohn’s “Laudate pueri”, inviting the choirboys to rejoice at Christmas. This is followed by a selection of joyful carols from Ukraine, France, Germany, and the USA. A spiritual, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” ends the first half of the concert.

Spring begins with which Pergolesi wrote his “Stabat mater” in Naples at the age of 26 – it is his most famous work. Debussy’s “Salut printemps” is a greeting extended to Spring itself, and nature turning green once again. The piece features a stunning soprano solo. An Austrian folk song from Carinthia observes the first flowers of the season. Teiichi Okano’s “Furusato” describes the old home, and fond feelings for family and friends. Two pieces by Gustav Holst, “Spring” and “Summer”, set to words by Indian poet Kalidasa, mark the transition of the seasons.

Summer brings fireflies: from “Hotaru koi”, we move to Gershwin’s “Summertime” and Kenshi Yonezu’s summer hit “Paprika”. The Choir ends the programme with two favourites by the Strauss family: the polka “Auf Ferienreisen” by Josef Strauss takes everyone on holiday, and Johann Strauss’s incomparable “Blue Danube” waltz leads back to Vienna.
Provided by Vienna Boys Choir