Beethoven | Deutsche Welle Folgen

Franz Liszt recreates the legend of Mazeppa in this symphonic poem as it brings the listener along for its hero's tormented journey through the wilderness and toward redemption.Franz Liszt Mazeppa. Symphonic Poem No. 6 Dohnanyi Orchestra Budafok Conductor: Gabor Hollerung MP3 recorded at the University of Bonn on October 1, 2011 by Deutsche Welle (DW) To celebrate German Unity Day on October 3 and Hungary's historic role in the process of German reunification, Budapest's Dohnanyi Orchestra Budafok delivered a performance full of energy and verve in Bonn. You would be right on the mark if you think you can sense the sound of thundering hooves in "Mazeppa," the concert opener. That's what Franz Liszt had in mind in this symphonic poem. The composer himself invented the single-movement genre transposing the contents of a work of art or literature into music. Liszt draws his inspiration from Victor Hugo's poem about a young page - Mazeppa - caught in bed with a powerful noble's wife. As punishment, Mazeppa is strapped naked to the back of his horse and sent off into the woods. On the verge of death, he lands in the Ukraine, where he meets, joins and ultimately goes on to lead the Cossacks. "'Mazeppa is indeed about a Ukrainian freedom fighter, but if you listen carefully, you can hear a lot of Hungarian influence in the music, especially in this great triumphal march at the end," conductor Gabor Hollerung explained. "Everything melts together wonderfully in Liszt - the German influence, the Hungarian influence, the eastern European tradition, even spiritual aspects - he really belongs to us all," Hollerung added. Author: Greg Wiser Editor: Rick Fulker

Fanfare Ciocarlia have one goal: to get even the stodgiest grandmas out of their seats and dancing. The wind ensemble almost managed that during their concert at the Beethovenfest's "Liszt Night."anon: Arrangement of the folk song "Suita a la Ciobanas" Fanfare Ciocărlia MP3 recorded on September 24, 2011 in the Beethoven Hall, Bonn by West German Radio (WDR) The twelve members of Fanfare Ciocarlia come from a tiny village in Moldavia, home to around 80 Roma families and 400 people total. The name Ciocarlia means "lark," but their music is a far cry from a little bird's song. It's more like biting into an extremely hot pepper whose spiciness goes all the way down to your toes. The combination of clarinets, two alto saxophones, three trumpets, two bass tubas, percussion and a baritone and tenor horn leaves audiences breathless. Traditional Romanian dances like the Sirba or Hora and folk songs clearly influenced by middle Eastern folklore create performance fireworks. But wild and dangerous men (so goes the reputation of the Usarii clan from which the players are descended), it is said, can also be gentle and restrained - such as when they sing the shepherd song "Suita a la Ciobanas." Ever since they were discovered in 1996 by Henry Ernst, a German sound engineer touring in Romania, Fanfare Ciocarlia has been on their way to the top - on demand from Tokyo to New York, Milan to Helsinki. Along the way, the group has expanded its repertoire from local songs and dances to include jazz and swing. A swaying stage, kicking feet and an audience eager for an encore are no rarities in performances by Fanfare Ciocarlia. Author: Beatrice Warken / gsw Editor: Rick Fulker

The Roma and Sinti Philharmonic celebrate gypsy tradition and folklore here in their purest form.anon: Improvised Roma and Sinti folk music Roma and Sinti Philharmonic Conductor: Riccardo M. Sahiti MP3 recorded in the Beethoven Hall, Bonn, on September 24, 2011 by West German Radio, Cologne (WDR) September 24, 2011 turned into a long night for the Roma and Sinti Philharmonic. This special project formed of professional musicians of Roma and Sinti heritage gave two concerts nearly back to back at the Beethovenfest's "Liszt Night" celebrating that composer and the contemporary expression of his Hungarian musical heritage. After midnight and many encores and curtain calls, a clarinetist takes things into his own hands here, heading to the front of the stage with a tune on his lips. It doesn't take long for some of his fellow musicians to jump up and join him in this rollicking improvisation on gypsy folk themes - just the thing to send the crowd happily on their way. Author: Greg Wiser Editor: Rick Fulker