Grand gala concert

Military music delights with timpani and blues

The military band performs at ceremonial events organized by the army, the state and the republic, as well as at balls and major concerts.(Bild: Stefan Schusser)

The big gala concert that the Carinthian military band is playing on Thursday is already sold out, but bandmaster Pranter's schedule includes numerous other performances.

"The first part is classical," reveals military bandmaster Dietmar Pranter, who will open the gala concert on Thursday with a fanfare he composed himself: "Gaudium Magnum", meaning "With great joy". The net proceeds from the evening at the Klagenfurt Konzerthaus will once again go to the "Die Krone hilft" campaign, which supports Carinthian families in need.

The uplifting fanfare is followed by music from Beethoven's Egmont and Karl Komzák.

Fanfares and hymns play, celebrations take place.(Bild: Arno Pusca Bundesheer)

A composition by Carinthian Stefan Rothschopf was premiered on October 10 last year and will be performed again on Thursday: "'A Day Of Joy' will be played at the gala concert, supported by the voices of the Jakob Petelin Gallus choir," says the colonel, giving a preview of the program, which will feature modern sounds in the second part.

Beatles medley for the new military commander
"One of the percussionists plays a solo for marimba, accompanied by the orchestra. Sandra Pires sings 'Ich gehör nur mir' from the musical Elisabeth," says Pranter, who will not only be conducting that evening, but will also be singing. After this surprise title, one highlight follows the next: "Blues Brothers" and Beatles Medley. "Our new military commander is a Beatles fan, so I put that in the program right away," explains Pranter, who announces further musical dates for anyone who doesn't have tickets for the gala concert. "At the end of May, we'll be playing again at a swearing-in ceremony, and in July at a promenade concert in Pörtschach. Summer spa concerts are also on the program in Millstatt and on Lake Klopein."

From August, the new musicians will play with the 15 cadre soldiers in the band: they will also perform their basic military service (6 plus 7 months) on the instrument.