Musical storytellers are on the move in Binswangen

Anyone who came to the Old Synagogue in Binswangen on a gray Sunday evening experienced a very special concert. The sounds of two guitars, an oboe and a variety of percussion instruments combined to form an interesting symbiosis. There was a subtle harmony between four musicians that captivated the attentively listening audience from the start. A friendly circle of well-educated people revealed his talent and interest in music as an excellent elixir of life that can always give hope, especially in difficult times.

In the first part of the concert event, which can confidently be called that, Frieder Brändle and his now professionally and internationally successful son Paul took on their part. “Little Fire”, as the duo calls themselves, is based in Wertingen. It is not just a “small fire” that the two of them are able to light, but rather a colorful, shimmering firework display.

“That’s off to a good start!” think the amused listeners in Binswangen

Frieder Brändle moderates the stories, which the two musicians serve in an idiosyncratic, light-hearted manner. The audience hears family stories and Paul thinks about his father’s sixtieth birthday. The original composition is intended to give them courage for what is to come, they say with a wink. And the guitar tones dance together with little flights of fancy. “That’s off to a good start!” think the amused listeners in the synagogue. And father Brändle, with a cheeky hat and a graying beard, doesn’t have to hide when he makes the guitar strings sound together with his musically strong son. He also loves the flute from childhood, as he later explains. And he cheerfully sprinkles the revered instrument in between. He is a doctor with all his soul and music is his lifelong hobby, which means balance and immense joy to him.

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Duo “Little Fire” lets the bear Bruno, who died tragically, trot through the music scene with deep chords and rhythmic sounds. As amusing as the musically told story of the hopping dwarf bunnies that were once looked after by the family. Great fun for the listeners in the synagogue. The Brändles are also reminiscent of “Sweet Allgäu”, where they once ended up with Zusam in Wertingen. The two musicians can play their guitars loudly and also particularly quietly. They convey a desirable attitude to life in times that don’t seem so fun and carefree.

The drummer Simon Popp has his roots in jazz. His concert partner, the impressive oboist Miriam Hanika, comes from classical music. They have found new, interesting ways to inspire people on the wings of music. Both are friendly with the Brändles and will perform the second part of the evening together and also as soloists with intoxicating timbres. The oboist Hanika also likes to present herself as a singer who accompanies herself on the piano. She is reminiscent of her aunt Luise, a special woman who set a course for her in life. In the song “Roots and Wings,” the interpreter describes the importance of home in times when so many people are losing theirs, she says. It’s a shame that in her enthusiasm she chats a little too quickly during her moderation and the audience briefly goes into a tailspin while listening.

The audience gives the performers huge applause

The special instrument oboe is tailored to Hanika’s delicate body. “Here and there” is the name of an impressive piece that she invests with grandeur and almost philosophical depth. Simon Popp acts as a soloist and also in collaboration with the oboist in a spirited and highly concentrated manner. He uses singing bowls, which he caresses in a Far Eastern-like manner, and is passionate about interesting sound instruments. It rustles, knocks, whispers. Drums fill the time-honored space of the synagogue. There is a passionate percussionist at work who can even give young people disco fever in sequences.

At the end, the four musicians of the concert event are reunited on stage again. In the piece “What should I do?” there is only one response from the audience: “Keep going!” The auditorium bows to the performers with huge applause.