If you let people do it, only something clever can come out of it. That was probably the idea of those in charge of the Neunburg town band to let the musicians themselves vote on the program for the 40th anniversary of the Christmas concert.
Ultimately it was a matter of selecting the highlights from the many, almost unforgettable concert evenings of the past few years. The result could once again be heard and seen in the sold-out Schwarzachtalhalle.
It started with a premiere. Magdalena Zach was able to welcome the audience, especially the guests of honor, as the newly elected chairwoman of the Stadtkapelle association. A note from our own ranks also made it clear – her musical home is the Schlagwerk-Register and she is the first chairwoman in the 45-year history of the ensemble. A little later she was able to appoint her predecessor, Roman Sorgenfrei, who was at the helm for 20 years, as an honorary member.
Film tunes played at the start
It was the timpani and the wind instruments that caused goosebumps at the opening with “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss. In his moderation, honorary conductor Anton Lottner recalled that this was also the theme song for the film “A Space Odyssey” and was recorded at the time by the Vienna Philharmonic under Herbert von Karajan. This was followed by titles such as “Westminster Carol” (James Hosay) and “Morgen Mood” (Edward Grieg) from the music for “Peer Gynt” as well as two other pieces by Matthias Wehr and Jaroslav Zemann.
With regard to Matthias Wehr (“Fire in the Glenn”), Lottner recalled personal encounters with the young composer and the bond with Markus Held, who began his conductor training with him.
Peter Habermeier, Herbert Hauser, Ralph Frank and Hans Schöberl caused a sensation, following in the footsteps of Max Raabe and his palace orchestra. The concert named after him included a medley of melodies such as “Villa des Gorillas”, “Mad cow disease as a cow’s revenge plan” and “No pig calls me…”.
Former presenter recalled previous concerts
When Erwin Bucher stepped up to the microphone and said that he had moderated most of the melodies that evening for over 25 years, the audience was able to reminisce. It was all the more an honor for him to be able to name five founding members, Roland Hauser, Franz Schöberl, Hans Schöberl, Max Hofmann and Anton Lottner, who are still active.
Before the break, the orchestra let the “sun rise” with the concert march of the same name by Rudi Fischer.
Following tradition, the youth orchestra opened the second part of the evening. Here, too, there was a spectacular appearance by a special guest, the “Tuba Angel Michael II.” The moderators Emma and Lena couldn’t contain themselves from the joke in which the tuba was outed “as a divine instrument”. In the Bible it is already written “God, the tuba player in heaven…”.
The youngsters were able to demonstrate their musicality with “Harkl The Tubas sing” (Felix Mendelsohn-Bartholdy), “Checkpoint” (Fritz Neuböck) and “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne.
Jedi Knight had arrived from Nuremberg
Big theme tunes and medleys from the television series “Doctor Who” and films like “The Lion King” and “Star Wars” marked the rest of the event.
A Jedi Knight and a Mandalorian from the Star Wars Friends of Nuremberg, who have a close connection to the city band, even came to the latter.
Things finally got really rocky with a deep purple medley. The “daring men with their flying boxes” also provided another visual highlight before the program officially ended with the “Prague Life” march conducted by Anton Lottner.
“It’s a pleasure to expend so much energy when you then feel that just as much comes back,” enthused the musical director and conductor, Markus Held, at the end of the encores and the standing applause of the audience. The joint intonation of “Silent Night” marked the end.
The musical director and conductor Markus Held was satisfied with his musicians’ choice of program for the 40th Christmas concert. Photo: Ralf Gohlke
Honorary conductor Anton Lottner led the evening. Photo: Ralf Gohlke
Special guests also came from the Star Wars Friends of Nuremberg. Photo: Ralf Gohlke
The “Tuba Angel Michael II.” supported the youth orchestra in its big performance. Photo: Ralf Gohlke
2023-12-27 04:12:49
#Goosebumps #moments #years #Neunburg #Christmas #concert
