To one day direct the Thomaner Choir in Leipzig: this has always been a very special ambition in the music world, after all Johann Sebastian Bach was once cantor of the choir himself. Since the fall of 2021, this illustrious post has been filled by Swiss national Andreas Reize. Reize is the 18th Cantor at St. Thomas after J.S. Bach. The Music Documentary "Bach's Successor – The Thomaner's New Conductor" shows how smoothly Andreas Reize has settled into his role. The film by Axel Rowohlt observes the Cantor and his highly traditional choir at work – and not just on the music of J.S. Bach; it also affords an insight into the everyday lives of the choristers at the Thomaner School. This illustrates how Reize’s appointment to the post marks a new era, because he has no personal ties to Leipzig or the over 800-year-old boys’ choir. Nevertheless: Andreas Reize is a widely respected authority on church music. For him, following in the footsteps of Bach to conduct the Thomaner Choir fulfills a long-held dream. At a glance: 00:00 A new era for the Thomaner Choir 00:48 Music excerpt: Max Reger, “Nachtlied” (Night Song) Op. 138, No. 3 01:03 Daily life of the choir students I 01:39 Music excerpt: Heinrich Schütz, "Alle Augen warten auf Dich, Herre", SWV 429 02:03 Daily life of the choir students II 02:22 Introducing Cantor at St. Thomas Andreas Reize 04:43 Group rehearsal 05:25 Music excerpt: Heinrich Schütz: "Ach Herr, straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn", SWV 24 06:24 The concept of “historically informed performance“ (HIP) 08:40 A lesson in music … and manners 12:36 The role of religion in the choristers’ lives I 13:16 Should girls be allowed in the choir? 14:37 The iconic Thomaner Choir uniform 16:13 Preparing for the Friday evening performance 19:22 Music excerpt: Max Reger, “Nachtlied” (Night Song) Op. 138, No. 3 20:14 The special aura of St. Thomas Church, Leipzig 20:42 Music excerpt: Max Reger, “Nachtlied” (Night Song) Op. 138, No. 3 21:03 Could the choir perform in a secular setting? 22:45 Music excerpt: Hubert Parry, "My soul, there is a country" 23:08 The role of religion in the choristers’ lives II 24:51 Music excerpt: Hubert Parry, "My soul, there is a country" Watch more music documentaries: https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PL_SdnzPd3eBUu43Xaa5AYyL7MruoJ42WD and in our Bach playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBUIGIm71zRFbYPJMQ-ETiMT Subscribe to DW Classical Music: https://www.youtube.com/dwclassicalmusic #johannsebastianbach #thomanerchor #boyschoir