Klassik am Berg 1965 – Sound enjoyment on Innsbruck’s local mountain

After the Corona-related cancellation last year, now finally again: Klassik am Berg 1965 at the Patscherkofel. The official requirements had been a real headache. But the Tyrolean chamber orchestra InnStrumenti under the artistic direction of Gerhard Sammer did not let that stop them. Ensemble and audience were finally to experience a live concert again!

The organizers are already experienced, Klassik am Berg 1965 is not taking place for the first time. Nevertheless, such an event needs a lot of preparation. Last but not least, the open-air stage has to be brought to lofty heights by small truck, and the sound equipment has to be prepared. In the morning then the decision: Mountain or valley, open-air or indoor? Congress am Rennweg or stage at Patscherkofel? Not an easy one. We all know how quickly the weather can change on the mountain!

The weather gods were accommodating, sending sunshine in the morning, wispy clouds against a lightning blue sky. The mountain was calling! I decided to take a little tour before the concert. I missed out on the fine musical appetizers that members of the orchestra offered visitors in the stations of the Patscherkofel cable car. But my heart went out to the alpine roses that were just beginning to bloom and the - as always - gigantic view of the Inn Valley.

I combined the hike along the Zirbenweg to Boscheben with the easy ascent to the summit of the Patscherkofel via the Jochleitensteig. Then it went past the avalanche breakers relatively steeply downhill towards the mountain station - already attuned to the approaching concert by rehearsal sounds that resounded up.

The experienced Klassik-am-Berg audience was well prepared. Some brought chairs, others picnic blankets and looked for secludedspots between fragrant alpine rose bushes. Warm clothes in the rucksack, of course! Because it can cool down quickly when the sun hides or disappears behind the mountains.

Having taken the assigned place, the young pianist from Unterland and the South Tyrolean formation Viktoria Hirschhuber and the South Tyrolean formation Grandpa's Diandl shortened the time.
At 18.00 the members of the chamber orchestra InnStrumenti took the stage. Already Ludwig van Beethoven's famous Ta-ta-ta-taaa! of the 5th symphony let you dive into this unique combination of fine classical music and imposing mountain scenery. As always, Gerhard Sammer led through the program in a lively manner and with a twinkle in his eye.

When Hirschhuber took hold of the keys for the first movement of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto, thunder could already be heard in the background. The interplay between Grandpa's Diandl and the Tyrolean Chamber Orchestra Innstrumenti on "Mit dir bei mir" and "Muatas Stübele" really got to the legs. And also Mozart's clarinet concerto with the soloist Werner Hangl offered wonderful listening pleasure. Meanwhile, darker and heavier clouds were moving towards the Patscherkofel, thunder and lightning were increasing. Rain jackets and umbrellas against the pattering rain!

Shortly before the intermission, Sammer broke off the concert for safety reasons. So, unfortunately, nothing came of the second part, including Philipp Glass' breathtakingly beautiful "Tirol Concerto" and a continuation of Werner Pirchner's "100 prakt. Compositions for Good Orchestra". A great concert experience in front of a dream backdrop ended much too soon: Klassik am Berg 1965 - here's to a newone in 2022!

Klassik am Berg 1965 is one of a series of musical highlights that make the Innsbruck summer a cultural experience. Worth mentioning are for example the traditional Promenade Concertswhich - under new management - offer musical delicacies in the courtyard of the Hofburg. Or the Innsbruck Festival of Early Musicwhich perform in historical spaces as well as public squares. The "pop-up concerts" of early music are particularly charming. On eight dates, ensembles will perform in the Old Town - including the Innsbruck Trumpet Consort in the courtyard of the City Tower(23 July, 11.00 am) and in front of Café Munding(3September, 11.00 am).

The complete summer concert programme in Innsbruck can be found at innsbruck.info

Photos, unless otherwise stated: © Susanne Gurschler