Die Thomaner: A Year in the Life of the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig

One of the Best Musical Documentaries I've Seen.
This is simply one of the best musical documentaries I've seen. Expecting this to be a history on the Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Boys Choir), celebrating its 800th birthday this year, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is more about the 'day in the life of' both chorister and director of this famed choir. Actually, it's "A Year in the Life of the St. Thomas Boys Choir, Leipzig."

We follow several age groups of boys (and young men), from the newly selected choristers (aged 9) to veteran members (aged 18 to 19) who serve as mentors to the younger members, helping the younger choristers in their daily lives- with their normal, everyday struggles, the desire and requirements to be serious musicians, and their extracurricular activities, such as card playing, videos games and soccer. There is the added pressure of being members of one of the oldest musical legacies in the history of classical music.

Georg Christoph Biller, the choir's current cantor (since...

Simply a joy
This is a one hour 53 minute peek into the hearts and minds of the students and faculty of the St Thomas Boys Choir of Leipzig. It fills my heart with joy.

Perhaps the best way I can tell you about it is to just repeat some notes I made to myself. I made these notes after watching it several times, English subtitles ON (I don't speak German). They include the time reference and some of the boys' names. Herr Biller is the head of the choir.

Here they are.

About 90 boys ranging from 9 to 18 have been accepted into the choir, which includes a boarding house (the Alumnat) and one of the best academic schools in Germany (St Thomas, a gymnasium school). Each was only 9 when he entered, and each will spend 10 years there, receiving a superb musical education and be qualified for any college when he graduates.

Older boys, "prefects", live with, help and supervise younger boys. An "ultimus" is the name given to a close relationship between an older...

Movie about the boys and the adults, but it reveals much about Johann Sebastian Bach
Best movie for me because it adds a dimension into understanding Johann Sebastian Bach. If you are not turned on by Bach's music, don't watch this movie because it would not make any sense at all!

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