Vienna Boys Choir in Tokyo Japan in 1983 Part 4

[TakachanK]

I grew up with the Vienna Boys' Choir, went to their conert every time they came to Japan. This 1983 Chior was one of the most memorable boys with Rene Cerncec with his heart melting smile and voice! I was lucky enough to watch them from the front row seat, thank you so much for posting this, watched on TV as well but couldn't tape it. What a treat to be able to watch them here!

[conductorreis]

..why is wsk not as good anymore?..

..such a pity..

[2urchins]

A feast for the eye as well as the ear. This is an exceptional performance by the boys and choirmaster and an excellent job of recording it. Thank you kawaiimiffy for uploading this video series.

[Aaronthegreatest]

@2urchins be careful what you say there XD

[benoitmaur]

beatiful

[musikview]

These kids and conductor Josef Doeller also do a wonderful job with "Kaiserwalzer." If you want to see another WSK team do a great "Kaiserwalzer," catch the video of the 1986 group under the direction of Peter Tomak. It was another Japan performance.

[maestrovoci]

Here is proof that the WSK can sing polkas and waltzes while not cheating the music. Back in 1983 they could. What happened to the quality and commitment since then? Kaiserwaltzer = goosebump time!

[musikview]

"Unter Donner und Blitz," was not rushed here as it would be by today's WSK. Instead it was given lots of bounce and spirit. Also the kids looked like they were having a good time, judging by the smiles on a lot of the faces.

[maestrovoci]

Exactly! Today's WSK race through it so their lack of vocal training will not be revealed - or so they seem to think!

Any theories as to why this is sadly the case?

[GovindaMohini]

Well, one thing is they may not be able to get the same talent as before: parents don't seem to want to send their children to boarding schools anymore, where they don't get to see them so much. And then another thing is that the Zeitgeist dictates that it's cruel to encourage children to work so hard - they might grow up all wrong - much better to let them play computer games all day, and listen to heavy metal on their i-pods!

[maestrovoci]

Think you are exactly correct! The poor dears might hate music forever if they are "forced" to work so hard! As to the "may not be able to get the same talent as before" my question would be so where does THAT talent go? In the absence of an extraordinary boychoir in Vienna picking up the best but unvailable to the WSK talent, maybe is there an opportunity for someone to do just that? I agree that boarding schools are passe. The Tölzer Knabenchor have proven that.

[maestrovoci]

By the way, do you see any unhappy faces in this video? I see committed, happy faces, singing music they obviously enjoy!

Hey Augarten, why did you change?????

[NansiSwil]

Could it be that fewer boys want to join choirs nowadays - so the talent lies wasted?

I personally don't think so much that boarding schools are passe. I went to one myself and really enjoyed it. It's a shame that parents aren't willing to let their children live in such an environment where their musicality can really flourish. I think it's the touring for weeks on end which is probably more stressful and difficult.

[maestrovoci]

No, it is not the touring. My own choir toured for eight weeks at a time, with 44 concerts to sing, and never did a tour become "stressful and difficult." When problems arose, we dealt with them, including a "rolling thunder" stomach virus that felled everyone on tour for two days each, but myself. When I felt that "twitch" in my colon, I commanded the virus to "keep moving." No, the problems with the WSK are endemic and unfortunately not solvable with the current philosophy.

[musikview]

Hi GovindaMohini. I have no doubt that you and maestrovici will agree with me that if a child has been blessed with a special gift such as the kids in this video, he/she should be able to exercise and celebrate that gift. But with that right comes a responsibility, and that is to WORK HARD to make your talent grow even more. Why do so many people equate hard work with cruelty? I have learned that many gifted children are WILLING to work hard if it means being the best they can be.

[MissElfreda]

Thank you, Miffy, for uploading these! Such an excellent choir! And the quality of the videos is very good too.