*
banner

The perfect ode to joy...

An innovative arts project in Germany saw train passengers given a remarkable outdoor performance of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' from over 100 musicians over 2.5km of track...

bLECHKLANG
  The players had to bear the cold weather to take part in the project as the trains sped past!

Before European wide constraints imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic took stringent effect, more than 100 musicians joined with the players of Jena Brass Band BlechKLANG in Germany to take part in the innovative 'Moving Landscapes — Concerts for Passing Trains' arts project.

Tune in

Along a 2.5km route between the Thuringian cities of Jena and Weimar, the musicians performed parts of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' on platforms and in the countryside near the railway lines, with train passengers able to tune-in via radios inside the carriages as they passed them by.

Brass Band BlechKLANG MD, Alexander Richter, had to take on the unfamiliar role of project co-ordinator — ensuring his band performed at just the right time as the trains sped past — 12 times in 1 hour.

Remote

He told 4BR: "The remote control aspect made the project very special — and difficult! After all, the audience had to hear the famous music exactly when their train was at the same place as the musicians. It was a fantastic idea and a fantastic experience!"

The initiative was the idea of two professors at the famous Bauhaus University in Weimar. Jörn Hintzer and Jakob Hüfner wanted to create a special concert where the audience consisted completely of train passengers.

More than 100 performers took part at various stations and high points — from the brass band to choirs and individual artists — each playing part of the 'Ode' so that it joined together to form a continuous melody as the train sped past over the 2.5kms.

More than 100 performers took part at various stations and high points — each playing part of the 'Ode' so that it joined together to form a continuous melody as the train sped past over the 2.5kms4BR

Put together

Each time a train approached, the musical puzzle was put together and transmitted into the interior of the carriages — a mixture of music and physics that worked perfectly.

Alexander added: "We are very proud that we were able to participate as a brass band in this pilot project, which is to be tried out on other stretches of track in Germany to give passengers a memorable musical and artistic experience.

We are always looking for exciting opportunities to introduce the typical brass band sound to a new audience — and this was a great way to do just that."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Bolton Crown Court

Brass band conductor sentenced for abuse of position of trust

July 2 • Sam Olsson is sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 18 by a person in a position of trust.


tIPS

BBE announces partnership with donations platform

July 2 • Brass Band England member bands can benefit from an easy way to gain cashless donations.


Mead in Japan

No fatigue for touring Mead

July 2 • Steven Mead has just return from tours of Japan and Australia with China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to come.


Wainstone Cup

Sextet after big money at Dr Martin contest

July 2 • Six bands will look to claim a large slice of prize money at the Dr Martin Wainstone Cup contest this weekend in Yarm.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd