Every year, the Vorarlberg Military Music Orchestra demonstrates what it is capable of at its gala concert in the Festspielhaus Bregenz. Under the direction of military bandmaster Major Wolfram Öller, the orchestra presented an exciting program with talented soloists. The evening was hosted by Colonel Michael Kerschat.
With the concert march Unique by Rob Balfoort, the orchestra created momentum right from the start. The “Torrero Lied” from the opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet and “La Donna é mobile” from the opera Rigoletto offered a salute to the Bregenz Festival, which the large audience underscored with great applause. The first part of the concert ended with “Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Niccolo Paganini” by James Barnes, a work for a US naval band. An escapade is an adventurous and self-willed undertaking, especially a wanton prank or adventure. The second part of the concert evening was in this spirit. The two soloists, Gefreiter Bianca Wirth on the flute and saxophonist Luca Noel with his improvisation on Jue Zawinul’s “Birdland”, earned great applause. The singer Riccardo Di Francesco, who was already heard in the first part, proved with “My Way” by Frank Sinatra that he not only tends to classical music, but also masters pop songs. In total, the Vorarlberg Military Music offered 12 different pieces on their “departures” in the second part.
The line-up of the Vorarlberg Military Band is different every year. This year, ten trombonists applied to join the orchestra. The young brass musicians introduced themselves with “Lassus Trombone” by Henry Fillmore. The net proceeds from the event will benefit soldiers and members of the armed forces who are in need. Military chaplain Alois Erhart accepted the cheque for 1,000 euros from the concert organizer, the provincial capital of Bregenz.
