The past five days have provided a wonderful look into the world of chamber music in a festival hosted by the village of Hohenstaufen and coordinated by Rahel Rilling (second daughter of Helmuth and Martina) and her husband David Adorjan. Twelve musicians presented thirteen works by ten different composers, including piano trios/quartets/quintets and string trios/quintets/sextets by Beethoven, Brahms, Borodin, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Saint Saens, Schostakowitsch, Schubert, and Strauss. Some of the most intimate moments of musicmaking occur in chamber music, as a few players engage in communicating the musical language of the firey Beethoven, soulful Brahms, and lyric Schubert. It is also a time of reflection, contemplation, and respite for the listener -- an opportunity to revel in wonderful music and partake in a unique spiritual journey guided by the composer and musicians. When I lived with Rillings as a young woman, we spent many evenings in Warmbronn listening to chamber music over a bottle of red wine and good cigars. I feel a connection to those days accompanied by a deep sense of pride and joy in watching this next generation of Rilling musicians engage in their art with such passion. The following pictures document the four days of the festival and hopefully, allow you to also experience the special nature of this remarkable music.
A look into the valley from Hohenstaufen.
An article about the festival and musicians.
Arrival at the Church and connecting with friends.
The church cemetary at dusk and...
entry into the church. Concerts are free and open to the public; all donations welcome!
Two lovely customers buying CDs!
The Protestant Church of Hohenstaufen, home of the Chamber Music Festival.
Rahel Rilling extending a warm Festival welcome to all in attendance!
Proud musicians at the end of a successful concert!
A benefit concert for hospice care as introduced by...
the renowned doctor and specialist in pain medicine - Dr. Gerhard Mueller-Schwefe.
A successful performance of Mendelssohn's String Quintet Nr. 1 in A Major
Tables prepared for a celebration with good Schwaebisches Essen!
Audience members and musicians enjoy the reception.
The final concert with many guests from far and near.
Ute Kreyssig and son Matthias from Stuttgart.
Marta Schuster in conversation with Helmuth and Martina.
Newlyweds Sara and Karsten ready for a beautiful evening of music.
Martine with two of her beautiful grandchildren.
Heide Carisius in conversation with various friends.
And a happy Kathy awaiting the concert with expectation!
Helmuth introducing the final concert.
Rahel with colleagues following the Brahms Horn Trio.
David and Gabriel Adjoran with wife Kim following the Beethoven C Minor Trio.
Sara with colleagues following the Brahms String Sextet in G Major.
A satisfied public carry the memories of beautiful music with them...
while the musicians assemble at the Rilling home to celebrate with friends and family.
Fish rollmops in cream and wine with ...
dates filled with honey goat cheese...
accompanied by many other goodies!
Everyone joins together...
to toast and thank the musicians for another wonderful...
Chamber Music Festival in...
beautiful Hohenstaufen!
Bis zum naechsten Jahr!!
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Below are links to some of the local newspaper articles about the festival.
Musik Festival Hohenstaufen Beginnt
A Successful Partnership!
