Monday, October 17, 2016

Obernkitchen Children's Choir

ABC Wednesday
October 19th, 2016

The Letter is O for The OBERNKIRCHEN CHILDREN'S CHOIR


In Germany the Obernkirchen Children's Choir
is called
Schaumburger Marchensanger. 

translated as Schaumburger's Fairy Tale Singers.

The choir was founded by Edith Moller and Ema Pielsticker in 1949
for war orphans.

The choir received an invitation to participate
in the "international Eisteddfod" 
a choir competition in Llangollen, Wales.

They won first prize!

In 1953 a BBC radio broadcast of the choir's winning performance
of the song
Der frohliche Wanderer (The Happy Wanderer)
at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
turned the song into an instant hit.

It stayed on the UK Singles Chart for 
twenty-eight consecutive weeks.

They made two appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show 
in 1964 and 1966.

The choir still exists today 
with new generations of singers continuing the work of its pioneers


The Old Steam Train
recorded in 1974

and a more challenging piece of music
by Rossini




More fascinating Os here at ABC Wednesday
with thanks to Roger, Denise, Leslie
and all their observant and obedient
helpers.....

7 comments:

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I remember them from the "Children's Favourites" radio programme that used to be on every Saturday morning on the BBC. Happy days!

The Weaver of Grass said...

John reminded me of hearing them on Childrens' Favourites - such a popular programme in those days. I remember hearing them on several occasions.

ellen b. said...

Beautiful choir for sure! Thanks for the history...

MelodyK said...

wonderful... I always love to listen to something like this....

Have a wonderful ABC-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/19-o/

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh that really does bring smiles!! Sweet sounds and good to know the history.

Joy said...

I do love a choir, this ones beginning brings joy out of sadness. My father used to sing the Happy Wanderer so that is my abiding memory of the song.

Roger Owen Green said...

I probably watched them on Sullivan!

ROG, ABCW