The orchestra has had many eminent chief conductors. In its early years, Heinrich Schütz was associated with it, and in the nineteenth century Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner were both chief conductors. In the twentieth century, Richard Strauss became closely associated with it, as both a conductor and a composer, with several of his works being premiered by the ensemble. Karl Böhm and Hans Vonk were notable among the orchestra's chief conductors in that they served as chief conductors of both the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and the State Opera simultaneously. Herbert Blomstedt was musical director of the Staatskapelle from 1975 to 1985.
Giuseppe Sinopoli was chief conductor from 1992 until his sudden death in 2001. In August 2002, Bernard Haitink took up the post, until his resignation in 2004 over disputes with the Staatskapelle's Intendant, Gerd Uecker, on the orchestra's choice of successor. In August 2007 Fabio Luisi began his tenure as chief conductor, having been named to the post in January 2004. He shared with Böhm and Vonk the historic distinction of being chief conductor of both the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and the Sächsische Staatsoper simultaneously. Luisi was scheduled to step down as chief conductor in 2012, as of the October 2009 announcement of Christian Thielemann as the orchestra's next chief conductor, effective with the 2012-2013 season. However, Luisi resigned from the Staatskapelle chief conductorship in February 2010, with immediate effect, after reports that the Staatskapelle's management had secured a contract with the ZDF network for a scheduled televised concert on New Year's Eve, 2011, without consulting him at all in his capacity as the orchestra's GMD.
In 2007 the orchestra inaugurated the post of Capell-Compositeur or composer-in-residence, each appointed composer holding the post for one concert season. The first Capell-Compositeur was Isabel Mundry, and the current holder of the post is the British composer Rebecca Saunders.
In April 2007, the orchestra became the first orchestra ever to be awarded the "Prize of the European Culture Foundation for the Preservation of the World’s Musical Heritage". The editors-in-chief of nine European music magazines elected the Staatskapelle Dresden as one of the top five orchestras in Europe.
Kapellemeisters and Chief Conductors:
1548–1554 Johann Walter
1555–1568 Mattheus Le Maistre
1568–1580 Antonio Scandello
1580–1584 Giovanni Battista Pinelli
1587–1619 Rogier Michael
1615–1672 Heinrich Schütz (Hofkapellmeister)
1654–1680 Vincenzo Albrici
1656–1680 Giovanni Andrea Bontempi
1666–1688 Carlo Pallavicini
1688–1700 Nicolaus Adam Strungk (Hofkapellmeister)
1697–1728 Johann Christoph Schmidt (Hofkapellmeister)
1717–1719 Antonio Lotti
1717–1729 Johann David Heinichen
1725–1733 Giovanni Alberto Ristori
1733–1763 Johann Adolph Hasse (Hofkapellmeister)
1776–1801 Johann Gottlieb Naumann (Hofkapellmeister)
1802–1806 Ferdinando Paer (Hofkapellmeister)
1810–1841 Francesco Morlacchi (Hofkapellmeister)
1816–1826 Carl Maria von Weber (Hofkapellmeister)
1826–1859 Carl Gottlieb Reißiger (Hofkapellmeister)
1843–1848 Richard Wagner (Hofkapellmeister)
1850–1880 Carl August Krebs
1874–1877 Julius Rietz
1877–1884 Franz Wüllner
1884–1914 Ernst von Schuch
1914–1921 Fritz Reiner
1922–1933 Fritz Busch
1934–1943 Karl Böhm
1943–1944 Karl Elmendorff
1945–1950 Joseph Keilberth
1949–1953 Rudolf Kempe
1953–1955 Franz Konwitschny
1956–1958 Lovro von Matačić
1960–1964 Otmar Suitner
1964–1967 Kurt Sanderling
1966–1968 Martin Turnovský
1975–1985 Herbert Blomstedt
1985–1990 Hans Vonk
1992–2001 Giuseppe Sinopoli
2002–2004 Bernard Haitink
2007–2010 Fabio Luisi
Composers-in-residence:
2007–2008 Isabel Mundry
2008–2009 Bernhard Lang
2009–2010 Rebecca Saunders
Leise rieselt der Schnee
Staatskapelle Dresden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still und starr ruht der See
Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald
In den Herzen ist's warm
Still schweigt Kummer und Harm
Sorge des Lebens verhallt
Bald ist heilige Nacht
Chor der Engel erwacht
Hört nur, wie lieblich es schallt
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald
The lyrics to Staatskapelle Dresden's song "Leise rieselt der Schnee" convey a serene and peaceful winter scene. The first verse describes how the snow gently falls while the lake rests still and motionless. The second verse depicts the forest gleaming in a Christmassy manner, creating a festive atmosphere. The lyrics then encourage the listener to rejoice as the arrival of the Christ Child is imminent.
The third verse highlights the warmth that fills people's hearts during this special time of year. All worries and troubles are silenced, and the sorrows of life fade away. The final verse anticipates the holy night, where the choir of angels awakens. The listener is urged to listen to the delightful sound that echoes through the air, and to find joy as the Christ Child approaches.
Overall, the lyrics of "Leise rieselt der Schnee" capture the essence of a tranquil and magical winter scene, while encouraging listeners to embrace the joy and anticipation of the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
Leise rieselt der Schnee
Snow is quietly falling
Still und starr ruht der See
The lake is calm and still
Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald
The forest shines in a Christmassy way
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald
Rejoice, Christ child is coming soon
In den Herzen ist's warm
Warmth is in the hearts
Still schweigt Kummer und Harm
Sorrow and sorrow are silenced
Sorge des Lebens verhallt
Worries of life fade away
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald
Rejoice, Christ child is coming soon
Bald ist heilige Nacht
Soon it will be a holy night
Chor der Engel erwacht
The choir of angels awakens
Hört nur, wie lieblich es schallt
Listen to how lovely it resounds
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald
Rejoice, Christ child is coming soon
Lyrics © editionPlus Verlags GmbH, Songs United Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eduard Ebel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind