January 2003 - Nr. 1
Out with the old-In with the new! Again!
You might have noticed that Echo Germanica has taken a bit of a turn. Actually it is not so much a turn as a return to our original purpose, which was to build bridges into other generations and cultures and so on.
I know, we have always done it, but not aggressively enough. We became somewhat complacent in the face of the old standoff routine: you either do as we suggest or else…
Since I had not been well for a while I did nothing much to counter it. If any of you can remember back far enough you will recall that I used to be full of vim and vinegar. And then my health took a nosedive and my interest level was not what it used to be.
Well, I am back and we are retuning to our old premises, especially the building of bridges to other generations and cultures. We are building also a new writing crew, one that is willing to take a chance here and there, has the hand on the pulse of what is happening.
We are not all of a sudden becoming a rock and roll mag, don’t worry, we are just going after a few neglected bits of culture. Our satire might become a bit more biting, especially online! Check it out. The new instalment is in this online issue at www.echoworld.com. We are also looking for young and with it writers and artists to work with and try and create something new. It is an experiment, but I am willing to take the chance.
We are calling all youngsters, nothing over, well, let’s stretch it a bit, nothing over 40, unless of course you still can hip hop and rock’n roll like an 18 year old. We are looking especially for people with an artistic vein. And to start with you have to be willing to volunteer.
There might be a bit more poetry too, but not so much the strictly homegrown variety, but the one that is either funny, intimate or offers really social criticism. Of course, we are not going to abandon our classics!
It also is not going to happen all at once, but bit by bit. I am a firm believer in organic growth, unless there is someone out there that wants to give us a huge amount of money to do a jumpstart.
The old venues are still going to be serviced like always by us. They have been there for us and we will be there for them. We actually have a lot in common. Our German culture needs a boost towards longevity in an environment that can no longer be strictly German, with German language, German food only, German only music, German only spoken at clubs and organisations, and so on. Those days are really and finally gone for good.
We need to reach into the mainstream and tell them what it is they enjoy that is of German origin. We need to support artists that have grown up here or elsewhere and have German ties and interact with other cultures and groups.
Yes, we have done it, but not really consciously. Our German Canadian young folks have largely wondered around out there without mega support from us.
We need to reach a new understanding of our old loyalties and redefine the policies by which we make decisions.
So put your thinking caps on and participate.
Old songs, new venue
There are some new stars on the horizon. Some are already marching quickly towards a well-deserved zenith. Some of them we know well, but not as well as we should.
Our local community is well aware, or should be, of the Kuehn Family with their talented children Elizabeth, Caroline and Frederick. All of them and the parents have been connected to music all their lives.
Especially Elizabeth and Caroline chose music as a career and profession. The two girls have grown up to be rather handsome and extraordinary hardworking and talented young women with a lot of spunk and a will to succeed.
The older one is Elizabeth. She recently not only started to write for Echo Germanica, but also started a choir of sorts. Perhaps that is the wrong concept all together. The group consist of about a dozen individuals that love music and want to perform for the public. Of course, Elizabeth is, as the conductor, the driving force behind it and the one who gives this new vehicle the direction in all things.
The concert on the 23rd of December turned out to be one of the loveliest Christmas concerts I ever went to. Not only did it take place in an extraordinarily beautiful church, decorated richly and festively (Our Lady of Sorrow Church on Bloor Street West in Toronto), the small choir and musicians played their hearts out to a very attentive audience that nearly filled the church entirely. About half of the performers where of Germanic descent, but the audience was not divided the same way. In fact most of them were probably not connected to our culture at all, but knew what to expect from such a concert.
From Elizabeth’s welcoming words at he beginning, a sung poem by Walt Whitman/ Cesar Geoffray, Austria’s famous from the 17th century Ave Maria, gratia plena and an Italian carol, right to the end and the English traditional gospel medley that knocked our socks off and got us out of our benches, the choices were lively and not always risk free.
Like the true artist she is she wanted to make everyone shine while demonstrating that there is a very fine ensemble in the making, indeed! Each one of the performers appears to have a special quality to add to the whole, while being able to do solo parts.
Especially
Caroline had the audience in awe with her crystal clear soprano voice that
effortlessly climes to lofty heights in pianissimo mode or forceful, as is
necessary. When she sang "Behold that star", a Christmas spiritual, with
Elizabeth accompanying her at the piano, you could have heard a pin drop.
There
was the classic "Silent night mixed with a Sonata by Bach and performed by
Kimberly Schemeit, flute (another musician of Germanic descent), and
Elizabeth Kuehn, piano. The ethereal sounds drifted like silver bells
through the highly arched church.
There
was a Bach Motet, another carol, and then Franz Schuberts "The lord is my
Shepherd" sung by Caroline Kuehn, soprano, Elizabeth Kuehn, soprano and Liza
Golec, mezzo soprano. The audience did not dare breath; it was so beautiful.
Poetry,
instrumental music, carol music, divine solos and trios, chosen for their
quality to weave together a story of Christmas, unique choices, sometimes
difficult to perform, yet executed with utmost care, precision, exhilaration
and enthusiasm garnered the artists much applause and a standing ovation.
Tradition was successfully blended with untraditional pieces, or so it
appeared only because the styles of music were so varied and mixed. It was
lively and vibrant. And a perfect ending to the Christmas concert season.
The group is looking for a name and I have not heard yet what was decided. I opt for "The Jubilate Ensemble".
Out with the old
One
week later we had to usher out the old year. We did it in style at the Hansa
House. A very fine dinner served family style at the tables with fine Reif
wines gave everyone the necessary basis to develop the stamina to stay up
well beyond their usual bedtime. The club had sold out this event long
before New Years Eve and we were lucky to be able to be there.
Everyone
was dressed festively. The decoration was traditional and so was the music.
Fred Rohrer and his band played many old time favourites, even though I have
no idea who ordered the jodlers. Somehow they did not fit into my concept of
New Years Eve. I also missed some major waltzes from some of the traditional
operettas. But that is not every band's cup of tea. This one did a mean
swing, which woke up even the most tired warriors.
The
company we had at he table was fabulous and it was generally wonderful being
surrounded by a lot of acquaintances and friends. Upstairs we partook of a
bottle of champagne with friends, sort of testing what was to come at
midnight.
Our Kupferberg was great and preferred by a lot to anything else. The
balloons were a bit like the last year; they came and went somewhat
sluggish, not quite with it, which leaves all of us wishing for a much
better one this time around.
Hugs
and kisses, well-wishing and toasting went on for a long time before
everyone sat down to platters of fantastic sandwiches, getting fit again for
the ride home or to the hotel nearby.
This leaves me to thank all our supporters and clients, our friends and acquaintances for their past loyalty and support.
I wish everyone in the name of the www.echoworld.com team and Echo Germanica, the very best of everything, especially peace and health and beautiful and meaningful moments with our loved ones.
Happy New Year!
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
