Hagios II Elbcanto & Helge Burggrabe & Christof Fankhauser

"Where people sing and settle down, bad people have no songs!"

The growing a cappella and choir scene not only shows that this saying is true, but is also borne out by Helge Burggrabe's successful concept. With "Hagios", he invites the audience to reflect together and let go of the stresses of everyday life. The songs, which the audience can sing along to, transform the hall into a large sound space - in the spirit of the Taizé tradition. Sold-out concerts prove that this concept strikes a chord with our times. Together with the vocal ensemble Elbcanto, pianist Christof Fankhauser and string ensemble, he now presents the second installment: "Hagios II - Songs for devotion and meditation". For singing enthusiasts, spiritual people in search of peace and all those who want to escape everyday life and simply switch off.

"As far back as my personal memory goes, I can hear my mother's voice. The songs I would fall asleep to in the evenings by my bed gave me comfort and a sound of security," recalls Burggrabe. With "Hagios II", he continues his search for traces of the moving power of song. In the process, he finds melodies that are centuries old. He encounters works from monastic cultures of all faiths that seek peace and tranquillity and have their roots in ancient Jewish music. Singing together - also known as "psalmody" - can be found in Gregorian chants, the Orthodox liturgy, Taizé chants and contemporary songs. The chants and melodious prayers have always been perceived as healing and calming. Helge Burggrabe captures all of this and opens up a space that invites you to reflect, dream and pause.

The album covers a wide musical sound spectrum. From quiet, devotional pieces to moving songs of joy, Helge Burggrabe conveys contentment, security and positive energy. In addition to the choral singing, piano and string ensemble, he adds further timbres with flute, accordion or organ, thus expanding the warm and heartfelt sound.