Spring came again to Vienna. Also to what presenter-of-the-day, 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, then the Golden Hall was displayed. A beautiful reference to architect Theophil von Hansen (1813-1891), after whom the Ensemble named itself.
The hall was packed to capacity, despite fierce competition from the sports world. Also aldermen Kristof Calvo and Mag.Gerhard Jagersberger, cultural attaché of Austria to the EU, were keen to celebrate the 40 successful years together.
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 have heard more than once in Mechelen as a member of the Lissy Quartett and also on the unsurpassed CDs with music by Mayseder. In addition to engagements with the orchestras of the Wiener Staatsoper and the Wiener Philharmoniker, which took her to America and China, Maria Grün leads the talented class at the music university in Vienna. Valerie Schatz advanced from dulcimer and harp to double bass. In March 2021, she was appointed, after a successful audition, as the first female double bass player of the Wiener Philharmoniker.
Right at the front, heading the wind section, played the energetic flutist Birgit Ramsl, who stood out in focus. She is principal flutist of the Wiener Volksoper and accumulates first prizes and participations in renowned orchestras, chamber music ensembles and festivals as far as Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai. The first violin, second violin and viola players formed a coherent harmonious block. First violinist Kirill Kobantschenko, a student of the renowned Boris Kuschmir, combines his chamber music activities with his role in the first violins of the Wiener Staatsoper and the Wiener Philharmoniker respectively. Second violinist Georg Wimmer regularly substitutes for these orchestras.
And then there was the quiet presence and committed dedication of viola player Robert Bauerstatter, a welcome guest at Servus and 'Amazing Haydn'. Perhaps you will see him on New Year's Day on TV as leader of the viola section of the Wiener Philharmoniker. Or, together with the leader of the second violins of this world-renowned orchestra, Raimund Lissy, on the cover of the Gramola CDs with chamber music by the highly praised Viennese composer Joseph Mayseder. He is also co-founder of the Theophil Ensemble.
Opposite them, three wind players competed in joy of playing and virtuosity. Bassoonist Johannes Kafka, with his warm, flexible sound, is a regular member of the Būhnenorchester of the Wiener Staatsoper. Josef Reif is principal horn player of the Wiener Philharmoniker. He is the man behind the successful arrangements in the repertoire. Clarinetist, conductor and presenter Matthias Schorn is an extremely versatile musical all-rounder. As principal clarinetist of the Wiener Staatsoper and the Wiener Philharmoniker, he works permanently with the best conductors, soloists and singers. Two of them won the hearts of Mechelen. Theresa Grabner, at home in all opera roles and not unknown in 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 torment us, or was it my oversensitivity to everything concerning bullfighting, but as 'Toreador' he didn't win me over. In the German repertoire, his standing rose with each performance in my estimation.
Compelling programme
Of course there were the popular sing-alongs. 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: 'Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume'. It was the Opus 1 of a Polish-born resident of Vienna, son of a piano teacher, law graduate of Vienna University, civil servant, author and chairman of the Austrian Composers' Association. And this native artist proves to be the most incomprehensible example of the discrepancy between what music history forgets and what it reveres: a meaningless name and an absolute hit, which the audience, on the invitation of Michael Havlicek, was only too happy to hum along to.
No Radetzki March as an encore. Fortunately. Instead, the spicy Peppi-Josef duet 'Guten Morgen', which leads into 'Wien, Wien, nur du allein'.
Celebration
40 years of Servus will be officially celebrated on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June with a festival programme. This includes a wine tasting and a jubilee concert on Saturday. On Sunday, it's off to the Sint-Romboutskathedraal at 10.30 and from 12 to 17 there will be 'Frūhsschoppen' in the Cultural Centre.
