Cantus Novus Wien

The Cantus Novus Wien chamber choir consists of dedicated singers at the Vienna Diocesan Conservatory for Church Music. It impresses with stylistic diversity at the highest artistic standard, ranging from baroque to classical and modern. Cantus Novus Wien is committed to transforming each concert into a special sound experience in its respective space through vocal refinement and intensive musical interaction. Thomas Holmes has guided the choir as director since 2001.

Its extensive repertoire includes superb a cappella choral music and major oratorios by Handel and Haydn, as well as the famous requiem settings by Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, and Fauré. It also specialises in contemporary music, regularly premiering commissioned pieces. The choir’s distinct and warm sound is equally influenced by composers of the 21stcentury, among them Eric Whitacre, Paul Mealor, Morten Lauridsen, and Ola Gjeilo.For concert and CD projects, Cantus Novus Wien collaborates closely with international choirs and composers and is a regular guest at major concert events.

In 2018, it was recognised as “Choir of the Year” by Chorforum Wien for its outstanding choral work. In the same year, the choir was invited by the Society of the Friends of Music to make its debut at the Vienna Musikverein performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Cantus Novus Wien also provided solemn, vocal accompaniment at an event marking the consecration of the new giant organ for Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral in 2020. Recent accolades include a final placement and gold award at the »Ave Verum International Choir Competition« in Baden near Vienna in 2022.