A special concert
The musicians of the Halderner Blasorchester eV could not have chosen the title of the concert more appropriately. They had promised “a special concert” for the 2nd Advent – and that was it in every respect. Not only because during the break a colorfully decorated parade of tractors drove past the Haldern Church, which the numerous concert goers could admire while enjoying a cup of mulled wine.
Outstanding soloists
The approximately 40 Haldern wind players had also prepared a special concert program, which they performed in the atmospherically lit Haldern church. Radiant trumpet sounds, lively woodwinds, striking trombones, well-sounding horns, delicate technicians on the euphonium and a rhythmically flawless percussion and drum line-up ensured many goosebumps at this concert. Kirsten Ressing on the solo flute, Annika Katemann on the oboe, Inge Messink on the E-flat saxophone and Robert Heynen on the euphonium particularly stood out. Dominik Rotering, actually a trumpeter in the orchestra, was able to prove that evening that he can also achieve great things as a pianist. He accompanied some works on the electric piano and gave the concert a special touch.
The two tuba players Volker Oostendorp and Hermann Giesen skilfully lead through the program – not without pointing out right at the beginning with a wink that the tuba has been named Instrument of the Year 2024 and that this instrument with its rich, dark sound forms the basis of every orchestra.
Atmospheric program
As a farewell, Robert Wijnands had selected some concert pieces for his wind orchestra, which were skillfully performed by the players.
The evening began with “The 3-Minute Nutcracker.” A clever and light-footed medley that includes favorite themes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Members of the youth orchestra of the Kleve District Music School, with which the Halderner Wind Orchestra cooperates, also took part here.
In his work “Mountain Moments” the composer Luis Carlos Neves Serra expresses his appreciation for nature and the environment and the musicians knew how to implement this well. Quiet passages and rapid tempos alternate and were skillfully intoned by the orchestra.
Things got a little Christmassy for the first time with “Hymns and Carols” by Harrie Janssen. Flutist Kirsten Ressing conducted the first bars as Robert Wijnands supported the saxophone ensemble, after which Robert Wijnands took over the baton “in flying rotation” and conducted the rest of the piece.
In the work “Melting Giants” by Armin Kofler, the Haldern wind players pointed out global warming. In the quiet, majestic first part, the melodious horn section was particularly pleasing.
After the break we continued with the chorale “To My Country” by the Dutch composer Bernard Zweers. The first bars were intoned by the three-piece trombone section, gradually the other instruments were added, so that at the end a huge brass sound blew through the Haldern church.
This was followed by Alan Silvestri’s “Forrest Gump Suite,” in which the film music for the Oscar-winning film “Forrest Gump” was melodically, heartwarmingly and lively.
In the “Polish Christmas Music” the composer Johan de Meij has combined the Polish Christmas songs “Poklon Jezusowi – Mizerna, cicha – Aniol pasterzom mówil – Gdy sliczna Panna and Jam jest dudka” into a suite. Some listeners may have felt like presenter Volker Oostendorp: “You think you recognize a German Christmas song and then it’s not.” But there is no question that the Polish Christmas carols also knew how to please.
The outgoing conductor Robert Wijnands chose a great work as the last piece of the concert before handing over the baton to his successor Ferdi Hallen. In “Voice of the Vikings,” composer Michael Geisler describes the story of the Vikings, who undertook expeditions with their ships to other parts of Europe in the first millennium to trade and found new settlements – but also to plunder. Fighting and bloodthirsty melodies alternate with soulful, mystical passages before all the instruments fade away in the grand finale. A powerful, sonorous concert piece that aroused many emotions in the listeners.
Emotional farewell
There were some emotional moments at this concert: when former chairwoman Elisabeth Kempkes outlined some of the stages from her 18-year collaboration with Robert Wijnands. And when the current chairwoman Karla Kilzer presented the farewell gift to the outgoing conductor. Or also when the new conductor Ferdi Hallen conducted “The Call of Christmas” and the orchestra sang the Dutch text “Wej komen tesamen” in the vocal part from the German text “Herbei oh ihr Glauben” as a homage to their former conductor.
Donations for the “WDR 2 Christmas Miracle” fundraising campaign
At the end, the concert-goers joined in with the Christmas classics “Silent Night” and “Daughter Zion” and after long-lasting applause, the listeners were able to make a donation to the “WDR 2 Christmas Miracle” fundraising campaign at the exit for this “special concert”. “show clearly. Both musicians and listeners shared the joy of being at this concert.
Christmas service in St. Georg
Rehearsals for the Halderner Blasorchester eV continue next Friday with the new conductor Ferdi Hallen. The next performance is coming soon. On Boxing Day, the Haldern brass musicians traditionally take part in the festive service at 9:00 a.m. in St. Georg Haldern.
2023-12-12 07:37:28
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