TubeNet

Clicking around on YouTube, I found several collections of traditional folk music from Austria. There are dozens of videos like this, called a Weisenbläser:

http://youtu.be/2NIaUJvjGzc

Lyrical tunes played by a small brass group (rotary everything) on top of a mountain with the most beautiful backdrop. Does anyone know anything more specific about Weisenbläser? Like, does it signify anything specific, have any history, etc?

I swear, if someone plopped me down on top of a mountain like this with a tuba, I'd be happy for life.

Very literally translated: Song blowers

http://www.proz.com/kudoz/german_to_eng ... läser.html

The German letter ä may be the reason for the failing functionality of the link. This hopefully is better:

http://tinyurl.com/weisenblaeser

The sole reference to woodwinds is nonsense: Bläser means wind players.

Weise is an antiquated word means melody. (Bläser- blower)
Weise is also the word for the way to do something.
weise means also sage.
Waise is the word for a young child without parents.

Ulli

Thanks guys! Any ideas about how/when these performances happen? Is this like a first day of summer thing, anytime...?

I tell you, it sure makes me wish I'd have had my tuba with me when I was standing on top of the Alps!

When googling I saw a festival for youth ensembles and Weisenbläser, but I rather think they are village community ensembles for churches and for parties alike.

Klaus

That is what I want to do when I get over to the Alps with mini-tuba. Play up in the mountains - would be great fun!

Hi folks,

seems like I might chime in on this one.
"Weisenblasen" would be a verb best circumscribed in English as "to play tunes on wind instruments", as others have observed.
But there´s more to it: Austrian band musicians will gather up at a local pub, in somebody´s backyard, but ideally somewhere at an "Alpe" or "Alphütte".
The musicians may or may not know each other, but they´ll join to play traditional alpine folk music, be it memorised, in print or ink, mostly in absence of percussion. (Heaven on Earth !!)
More often than not the lead voice may exist in print, while others make up 2nd, 3rd or bass parts on the fly.

An audience (other than further musicians awaiting their turn) is welcome, though optional. Not optional is to enjoy typical local specialties, preferrably produced right there at the location, such as homemade bread, cheese, Most (apple- or pear juice, preferrably slightly fermented), or bacon and sausages.
Different kinds of local Schnaps, as well.

At times, alpine pubs may invite to such occasions, but the spontaneous gatherings are the best.

Good life !

tubeast wrote:Good life !

No kidding! Thanks for the information, that's pretty much heaven on earth for me. One of the towns I visited in Austria was Nauders, which is sort of close to you, though not a direct drive between the towns. Truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! One of the tuba players from the town band invited me to come back and play, and I always consider taking him up on the offer.

bort wrote:One of the tuba players from the town band invited me to come back and play, and I always consider taking him up on the offer.

Go for it Bort! I played with Tubeast's local band a while back and so enjoyed. Hope to return with my wife in the next year, or so