Berlin Zither Seminar: A Melodic Gathering at the Bavarian Association
Berlin, April 29 – The 5th Zither Seminar, organized by the German Zither Music Association, recently concluded in Berlin, drawing together zither enthusiasts from across the region. Hosted at the alpine hut of the Bavarian Association in Berlin, the event provided a platform for participants to enhance their zither playing skills under the guidance of a renowned virtuoso.
A Tradition of Zither Music in Berlin
Alpine folk music holds a significant place in Berlin’s diverse musical landscape. The city boasts one of Germany’s oldest zither playing circles, established in 1878. The German Zither Music Association, founded in 1963, serves as a national umbrella organization dedicated to promoting zither culture through its regional associations. A core mission of the association is to provide continuous education and training for zither enthusiasts.
This year’s seminar, the fifth of its kind in the capital, was organized by Astrid Belschner, chairwoman of the Berlin-Brandenburg regional association. The event saw the participation of 19 individuals, including members of the Berlin Zither Playing Circle 1878 and students from the Zither Ensemble of the Leo-Borchart Music School in Berlin-Zehlendorf.
Axel Rüdiger Leads the Seminar
For the second consecutive year, the seminar was led by zither virtuoso Axel Rüdiger from Kassel. Rüdiger, an instrumental pedagogue and head of “Musikwerkstatt Kassel,” brought his expertise and engaging teaching style to the participants.
The seminar commenced with a traditional Swedish peasant polka, specially arranged by Axel Rüdiger for three zithers. His pleasant and didactic teaching approach quickly led to a sense of accomplishment among the participants. From the outset, Rüdiger emphasized a holistic approach to music, focusing on dynamics and rhythm. To better convey these concepts acoustically, he even brought a drum to the sessions. Axel skillfully engaged all participants, regardless of their skill level, ensuring that both beginners and advanced players felt included and supported.
A Musical Journey Through Time and Cultures
The musical journey continued with “Es war einmal ein Mädchen” by Tielmann Susato, a 16th-century Renaissance composer. The first afternoon concluded with the atmospheric fanfare “Te Deum” by the French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, who lived during the time of Louis XIV. This piece, one of Charpentier’s most famous works, is still used today as a fanfare in Eurovision broadcasts.
The first day concluded with a convivial dinner at the nearby Schlossparkgrill, where zither enthusiasts could reflect on the day’s experiences and share their insights.
On the second day, Axel Rüdiger took the participants on another musical journey to Scandinavia. In addition to revisiting the Swedish peasant polka, the session explored the Swedish folk song “Vem kan segla förutan vind?” (Who can sail without wind?), a traditional Finnish-Swedish folk song from Åland, an autonomous Swedish-speaking region in Finland.
Another Finnish folk tune, “Sommerwind” (Summer Wind), while not quite ushering in summer, certainly brought a touch of spring to the sunny Bayernplatz. A pleasant group photo was taken in front of the Maypole of the Bavarian enclave in Berlin, marking the successful conclusion of the seminar.
Positive Feedback and Future Plans
Both the seminar participants and the instructor expressed great satisfaction with the two-day event. Heartfelt thanks were extended to Axel Rüdiger for the successful seminar and to Astrid Belschner for her excellent organizational efforts. Everyone expressed anticipation for next year’s zither seminar.
The event was reported by Helmut Amberger, 1st Chairman of the Bavarian Association in Berlin and a freelance reporter for Samerberger Nachrichten. Photographs were provided by Astrid Belschner and Helmut Amberger.
