Georg Stanek

Georg Stanek, born and raised in Ostheim vor der Rhön, already came into close contact with music during his childhood, and was a member of numerous ensembles during his youth. Here he got to know Early Music repertoires in particular. After completing his A-levels, he studied Protestant church music at the Kirchenmusikhochschule Bayreuth and the Musikhochschule Lübeck. Master classes with Ferruccio Tagliavini, Michael Radulescu, Gerhard Weinberger, Jon Laukvik, and others complemented his studies. Between 1999 and 2000, he was an intern with the director of church music at St Jakob in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Ulrich Knörr. He has been cantor of the city and the deanery at St Michael's in Hof since February 2001. As director of the St Michaeliskantorei and the CVJM-Posaunenchor, he guarantees a variegated programme of church music. In this office, Georg Stanek has also continued and developed the long-standing musical cooperation of the deanery with the Hofer Symphoniker. Twice yearly he hosts grand performances of oratorios and cantatas with the St Michaeliskantorei and the Hofer Symphoniker. He is also artistic director of the church music concert series at Pilgramsreuth. In 2008, he initiated the Heidenreich-Tage, a concert cycle performed by international organists. Numerous concerts have seen him perform in many German cities. In addition to performing at the Thüringer Orgelsommer, the presentation of the open air organ (made by the organ builders Hoffmann) at the world exhibition at Hanover in 2000 features among his guest appearances. He recorded his debut disc at the historic Döring/Markert organ at Ostheim/Rhön in summer 2000. Since May 2011, Georg Stanek has been a laureate of the Stiftung Bücher-Dieckmeyer which seeks to promote church music in Bavaria. In July 2011, he was awarded the Johann-Christian-Reinhart-Plakette by the city of Hof for his cultural achievements.