NDR Vokalensemble
The NDR Vokalensemble is one of Europe’s most distinguished professional chamber choirs, renowned for its musical excellence, stylistic versatility, and artistic curiosity. Based in Northern Germany and celebrated beyond its borders, the ensemble stands at the forefront of vocal performance — known for its warm sound and interpretive depth, the ensemble is equally at home in early music, Romantic choral repertoire, and contemporary works. Whether a cappella or collaborating with word-class Chamber orchestras, the NDR Vokalensemble sets artistic standards that resonate far beyond its home on the Elbe and has built a reputation for performances that combine precision with passion and tradition with innovation.
The ensemble’s vocal and stylistic versatility is showcased in its own subscription concert series, established in 2009. The 2025/2026 season offers striking musical contrasts, featuring works such as Maurice Ohana’s Avoaha for choir and three percussionists, Robert Schumann’s a cappella compositions, and Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion in collaboration with Concerto Köln.
In addition to its Hamburg subscription series — usually held in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie — the Vokalensemble now also offers a season subscription in Hannover, with most concerts taking place in the NDR Sendesaal.
Since the 2018/2019 season, Klaas Stok has served as the ensemble’s chief conductor. Other exceptional choral conductors such as Grete Pedersen, Peter Dijkstra, or Heide Müller have also worked successfully with the ensemble. Further artistic inspiration has come from Daniel Barenboim, Marcus Creed, Paul Hillier, Mariss Jansons, Paavo Järvi, Tõnu Kaljuste, Stephen Layton, Andris Nelsons, and Sir Roger Norrington, as well as soloists including pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and tenor Julian Prégardien.
The NDR Vokalensemble also collaborates regularly with a range of leading ensembles including Elbtonal Percussion, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, the FestspielOrchester Göttingen or the Daniel Garcia Jazz Trio.
Founded in 1946, the NDR Vokalensemble is a vital part of the ARD music network. It frequently performs alongside the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and the NDR Radiophilharmonie under renowned conductors in major symphonic works. The ensemble has collaborated with Alan Gilbert, Bernard Labadie, and Cristian Măcelaru, among others, and is a regular guest at prestigious festivals such as the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen. Beyond northern Germany, it is well known for its performances in Merano, Pisa, and Paris.
Through family concerts and school workshops, the NDR Vokalensemble is deeply engaged in cultural outreach. Its project SINGING! inspires hundreds of enthusiastic amateur singers each year.
In cooperation with NDR Kultur, ARTE Concert, and the European Broadcasting Union, selected concerts are regularly broadcast live or recorded for later broadcast. Numerous CD recordings are also available, along with free music streaming on ARD Klassik.
Season 2025/2026
Changes or abridgements of the biography are only permitted in consultation with the NDR Vokalensemble.