Original Drachenfelser Musikanten


Hi,

It is time to feature a group that performs a variety of genres and styles, the Original Drachenfelser Musikanten. This group from Troisdorf, Germany often has the instrumentation of flügelhorn, tenor horn, tuba (sometimes sousaphone) and accordion. They can also adapt to be two trumpets, trombone and tuba.




The members of Original Drachenfelser Musikanten and their instruments:
  • Christian Wassong - Flügelhorn
  • Gunnar Fischer - Tenorhorn, Trombone, Voice
  • Hagen A. Fritzsche - Accordion, Flügelhorn, Voice, Piano
  • Erhard Schwartz - Tuba, Trumpet, Trombone
They also create their own arrangements.

You will note in the photograph, the flügelhorn has rotary valves rather than pistons. Antique Sound Workshop has quite a bit to say about rotary valves and their usage in A Player's Guide to Rotary Valve Trumpets. One general comment is that musicians in Germany and Austria use rotary valves much more musicians in America do.

The Original Drachenfelser Musikanten YouTube Channel has a variety of music from waltzes and polkas to Christmas pop music. It would be tough to be a German brass group with an accordion and not play polkas. Their Facebook page is an easy way to see and hear what they have been up to and what is coming up next. They also maintain a presence on iTunes. I recommend their arrangement of Kris Berg's The Chicken because it is funk/jazz infused and sounds nothing like an oom-pa polka band!

Original Drachenfelser Musikanten: an example of brass with class

Necessity dictates that musicians be able to adapt to survive. Three of the musicians can double, triple or quadruple on other instruments/voice as as the music demands. You will see this group would also be comfortable wearing lederhosen or tuxedos. 

I send you on your way with Puttin' on the Ritz arranged by this fine group.


Until we meet again - auf Wiedersehen! 


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