Klaus Wallrath

In 2018, he composed a mass for peace, Missa da pacem, commissioned by Münster Cathedral for the final service of the Katholikentag in Münster in keeping with the motto of the event "Suche Frieden" (Seek peace). The music was performed for an audience of around 30,000 on 13 May 2018 by the cathedral's choirs (Dommusik) and an orchestra. It is based on the Gregorian Chant Da pacem, Domine. Tanztheater Münster, the ballet company of Theater Münster, interpreted the movements Kyrie and Agnus Dei, and the congregation was requested to participate singing in movements Gloria and Sanctus.

In 2014, Wallrath became the third person to be awarded the honorary title of Musikdirektor ACV by the Allgemeine Cäcilienverband für Deutschland (ACV). The commendation recognized his enthusiasm as a church musician, inspiring others and proclaiming his faith through music.

As a pianist, Wallrath has regularly performed in chamber groups, including Ensemble quatuor and Ensemble cinquepiù. In addition, he taught choral conducting at the Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen from 2008 to 2014.

During his studies he worked as a chamber musician, and belonged to the Gesualdo Ensemble from 1986. In 1987, he was appointed as church musician at Basilika St. Margareta [de], which from 1995 was enlarged to a parish containing seven other churches. He has worked for many projects of the Diocese of Cologne. Wallrath founded several choirs and ensembles, notably the Basilika Chor – a choir school for children and young adults, with more than 150 students – and the chamber choir Kammerchor St. Margareta. He has been instrumental in initiating concert series like the Gerresheimer Orgeltage for organ, oratorio performances and Stiftssaalkonzerte for chamber music. His repertoire includes Gregorian chant, classical music, contemporary music, and jazz.

Klaus Wallrath (born 13 May 1959) is a German church musician and composer. He has been responsible for church music at the Basilika St. Margareta in Düsseldorf-Gerresheim from 1987. He has composed especially song motets (Liedmotetten) on Christian hymns, and musicals on Biblical themes for children's choirs. Compositions have been commissioned for Cologne Cathedral and the Katholikentag.

Born in Korschenbroich, near Mönchengladbach, as a schoolboy Wallrath was given piano and organ lessons by Franzjosef Franzen (1927–1997). After his Abitur at the Humanistisches Gymnasium, Mönchengladbach [de], Wallrath studied church music at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf from 1977 to 1982: he was trained in Catholic church music and choral conducting by Heinz Odenthal, and conducting by Hans Kast. He graduated with the post of Kantor. He went on to study piano with Leonore Auerswald, achieving a performing certificate in 1985.