Spring returned to Vienna once again. And also to what the presenter of the evening, clarinetist Matthias Schorn, charmingly called "the Mechelen State Opera." And yes, there were spring blossoms on the stage. And in the background, first the Musikverein gleamed, then the Golden Hall. A beautiful reference to architect Theophil von Hansen (1813-1891), after whom the ensemble named itself.
The hall was packed to the rafters, despite fierce competition from the sports world. Municipal alderman Kristof Calvo and Mag. Gerhard Jagersberger, cultural attaché of Austria to the EU, also wanted to help celebrate these 40 successful years.
Top Performers
For the second time since 2024, the three ladies and six gentlemen of the Theophil Ensemble Wien performed here under the direction of Matthias Schorn. Cellist Maria Grün we've heard more than once in Mechelen as a member of the Lissy Quartet and also on the unparalleled CDs with music by Mayseder. Besides engagements with the Vienna State Opera orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic, which took her to America and China, Maria Grün leads the gifted class at the Vienna University of Music. Valerie Schatz went from dulcimer and harp to double bass. In March 2021, after a successful audition, she was appointed the first female double bass player of the Vienna Philharmonic.
Right at the front, heading the wind section, energetic flutist Birgit Ramsl played her way into the spotlight. She is principal flutist of the Vienna Volksoper and boasts first prizes and performances with renowned orchestras, chamber music ensembles and festivals as far as Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai. Among the string players, the first violin, second violin and viola formed a cohesive harmonious block. First violinist Kirill Kobantschenko, student of the renowned Boris Kuschmir, combines his chamber music activities with his role in the first violins of the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic respectively. With these orchestras, second violinist Georg Wimmer regularly substitutes.
And then there was the quiet presence and committed performance of violist Robert Bauerstatter, a welcome guest at Servus and 'Amazing Haydn.' You might see him on New Year's Day on TV as the leader of the viola section of the Vienna Philharmonic. Or, together with the leader of the second violins of this world-renowned orchestra, Raimund Lissy, on the cover of Gramola CDs with chamber music by the much-praised Viennese composer Joseph Mayseder. He is also a co-founder of the Theophil Ensemble.
Opposite them, three wind players vied with each other in joy of playing and virtuosity. Bassoonist Johannes Kafka, with his warm, flexible tone, is a permanent member of the stage orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. Josef Reif is principal horn player of the Vienna Philharmonic. He is the man behind the successful arrangements in the ensemble's repertoire. Clarinetist, conductor and presenter Matthias Schorn is an extremely versatile musical all-rounder. As principal clarinetist of the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic, he works permanently with the best conductors, soloists and singers. Two of them won over the hearts of Mechelen audiences. Theresa Grabner, at home in all opera roles and no stranger to Mechelen, as a mischievous 'Christel von der Post' and as a hesitant Zerlina. Her counterpart was baritone Michael Havlicek. Was it an overdose of 'Carmen' with which the classical radio stations bombard us, or was it my oversensitivity to all things bullfighting, but as the 'Toreador' he didn't win me over. In the German repertoire, he rose in my estimation with every performance.
Compelling Program
Of course there were the popular sing-along pieces. But also Hellmesberger, Ziehrer, Zeller and Rudolf Sieczynski. Rudolf who? The Rudolf who wrote both text and music for perhaps the most famous ode to Vienna: 'Vienna, City of My Dreams.' It was the Opus 1 of a Pole born in Vienna, son of a piano teacher, law graduate from the University of Vienna, civil servant, author and chairman of the Austrian Composers' Association. And it so happens that this true artist is the most baffling example of the discrepancy between what music history forgets and venerates: a forgettable name and an absolute hit that the audience was more than happy to hum along to at Michael Havlicek's invitation.
No Radetzky March as an encore. Fortunately not. Instead the spirited Peppi-Josef duet 'Good Morning,' which leads into 'Vienna, Vienna, you alone.'
Celebration
40 years of Servus will be officially celebrated on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 with a festive program. This includes a wine tasting and jubilee concert on Saturday. On Sunday at 10:30 there's a service at St. Rombaut's Cathedral and from 12 to 5 pm there's an 'Early Drinks' reception at the Culture Center.
