Page 2 - GC-Nov-Dec-23

Perspectives . . . PERSPECTIVES

Keeping things real by Martin Ederer last – composed when he was com- Stories persist (there are
ohann Christoph Friedrich von
pletely deaf and had little to be joy-
several versions) that when
by Martin Ederer JSchiller and Johann Wolfgang ful about – incorporated a setting of thunderous applause broke out,
erhaps the topic of reality is too dour for our edition covering the von Goethe are together celebrated Schiller’s Ode into its fourth and the contralto Caroline Unger
Pholiday season. Reality is not always pleasant. Yet the approaching as the two giants of German-lan- final movement. turned the deaf Beethoven
Advent and Christmas celebrations provide good reason for some annual guage literature. Of the two, many To the setting he added his own
reality checks. consider Schiller to be the greater of introductory stanzas: Oh friends, around so that he could see the
For Americans the lead-in to holiday festivities begins with Thanksgiv- the playwrights. not these sounds! Let us instead audience applauding.
ing Day. The origins are Christian – even if Thanksgiving is a holiday It is entirely ironic that most intone more pleasing and more joy-
defined by secular law in the United States – which often enough gets people are best familiar with a work ful ones! Joy! A good number of other musical
overshadowed by retail parades, turkey and football. All well and good, but that Schiller came to regard as a The rest of Beethoven’s setting settings and paraphrases of Schill-
in languages (such as German) with case structures, thankfulness isn’t failure. Like so many figures of his expresses wonderful ideals in both er’s Ode both predated and postdat-
simply a stand-alone concept. Thankfulness requires the dative case. It time, Schiller had come to embrace words and music. Between the mu- ed Beethoven’s setting. None have
requires an object: we need to be thankful to someone or something and to enlightenment ideals and the politi- sic and the lyrics, the experience is surpassed it. The basic Freude
be thankful for someone or something. Indeed, we have vestiges of such cal liberalism that they had generat- uplifting and unforgettable. The schöner Götterfunken theme has
case structure even in English in two common such constructions. One is ed. In part for those reasons, a more symphony’s first performance in gone on to become part of every-
actually “thank you.” The other is extremely impolite. mature Schiller came to see the po- 1824 in Vienna, three years before one’s cultural DNA.
Then there is the hoopla surrounding Advent and Christmas – much of em’s aspirations as too impractical Beethoven’s death, was already a One can only imagine, however,
which seems to have little to do with what all those holidays are (or should and naïve in the real world – in his success. It required the largest or- that Beethoven would now also
be) about. Some people have gotten intimidated about even mentioning words, “detached from reality.” chestra Beethoven had ever assem- view the final movement of his
Christmas. It’s too Christian. But the holidays are still fine for selling Maybe it is just as well, then, that bled, and this performance was ninth symphony as the same sort of
things, and sales are better if we are joyful, or at least hope to spread joy. most people associate it more with Beethoven’s first onstage appear- failure that Schiller saw in his Ode,
A mandatory joy based on some indeterminate or unspoken-of secular Ludwig van Beethoven than with ance in 12 years. not for its naiveté but for how it has
festivity easily becomes an annoyance and a source of depression for Schiller. Because of Beethoven’s deaf- been rendered banal. Cheesy
people who are having a tough time with life as they enter the holiday Any chorus singing in the con- ness, he was in no position to direct hymns, politicization as national an-
season. Misery, after all, is no respecter of seasons. That too is reality. text of a symphony, which had al- unassisted. The performance thems or anthems of other move-
Still, a few more reality checks are also in order here. Jesus was born ways been instrumental only, was a worked better when the musicians ments and organizations – and even
not because we were all wonderful. Rather, we were all screwed up and radical departure from musical con- simply ignored his conducting. Sto- its use in advertising – attest to the
mired in our own sinfulness. God came into this world homeless and poor. vention in Beethoven’s time. But ries persist (there are several ver- power and popularity of this music.
God ended up falsely accused and crucified because we have such a hard Beethoven was never conventional. sions) that when thunderous But have they also trivialized it?
time getting things right, even if we’re trying. Christmas is about God While he did adhere to standards of applause broke out, the contralto In any event, Schiller’s Ode
intervening in order to make those things right. Now that’s a reason for classical composition, he did man- Caroline Unger turned the deaf does convey high (and sometimes
some real joy, whatever our own situations might be. God “gets” us even age to bend them out of shape in Beethoven around so that he could rather dreamy) ideals. Unattain-
if we don’t “get” Him or think much about Him at all. exciting new directions. see the audience applauding. able? Maybe. But probably still
Joy is sweeter if we face the hard realities first… Gather your friends Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, his The Beethoven setting of Schill- worth a try.
and relatives! Share your traditions with them. Share your traditions with er’s poem:
the younger generations! Remind them of the history of these
Freude, schöner Götterfunken Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
celebrations…even if they don’t mean much to you personally, or to them
Tochter aus Elysium, Daughter from Elysium,
– because reality is still reality.
Wir betreten feuertrunken, We enter, burning with fervour,
A blessed Advent and Christmas season to all…and all good things in
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! heavenly being, your sanctuary!
2024.
Deine Zauber binden wieder Your magic brings together
GAM’s 90 year history Was die Mode streng geteilt; what custom has sternly divided.
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
All men shall become brothers,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. wherever your gentle wings hover.
from page 1 heim, Bad Liebenzel, Berchtes-
Wem der große Wurf gelungen, Whoever has been lucky enough
vests, bundhosen for the male mem- gaden, Sindelfingen, Lofer, Eltville
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; to become a friend to a friend,
bers and dirndls for the female on the Rhine and a sightseeing day
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen, Whoever has found a beloved wife,
members. in Salzburg. The Band was treated
The high point of the GAM and to “heimatabends” music and enter- Mische seinen Jubel ein! let him join our songs of praise!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele Yes, and anyone who can call one soul
of George Hinterbichler’s career tainment provided by the hosts, in
was a concert tour of Germany and almost every town visited. And in Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! his own on this earth!
Austria in September of 1979. Much George’s hometown, Saalfelden, Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle Any who cannot, let them slink away
credit for the success of that tour had they were greeted by the town band Weinend sich aus diesem Bund! from this gathering in tears!
to go to the GAM Auxiliary. The and a 21-gun salute and marched to Freude trinken alle Wesen Every creature drinks in joy
band needed new uniforms for the the town square where they were An den Brüsten der Natur; at nature's breast;
trip and the uniforms were patterned welcomed by the Bürgermeister Alle Guten, alle Bösen Good and Evil alike
after the “tracht,” or national attire (Mayor) and the Town Council. Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. follow her trail of roses.
of the Tyrolean or Alpine region of Whenever possible, where the Band Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, She gives us kisses and wine,
Austria, consisting of red vests and performed, pictures of the Band,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; a true friend, even in death;
black Bundhosen-style knickers taken by Ferdi Kasprzak, and Buf- Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Even the worm was given desire,
with colorful ties, leather braces and falo pins were presented to the audi-
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott. and the cherub stands before God.
red and black knee socks. The ladies ence.
in the band wore red and black During the 1980s the GAM was Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Gladly, just as His suns hurtle
dirndls with white blouses and performing in concerts and Okto- Durch des Himmels prächt'gen through the glorious universe,
aprons, in keeping with the Tyrolean berfests in Toronto, Rochester, St. Plan, So you, brothers, should run your course,
style. Catherines and Kitchener. Locally, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, joyfully, like a conquering hero.
The uniforms soon became the they also played at the Lancaster Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.
official uniform of the band and Opera House, local summer town Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Be embraced, you millions!
were worn at every performance. park concerts, as well as regularly
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! This kiss is for the whole world!
Money for the trip was raised from scheduled concerts and Oktober- Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Brothers, above the canopy of stars
band performances and a “Trip” raf- fests in the Bavarian Village (Deut-
Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. must dwell a loving father.
fle, along with card parties and ba- ches Haus), Club Lorelei, The
zaars put on by the auxiliary. It took Weber Post VFW, Weimers Grover
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Do you bow down before Him, you millions?
almost two years to raise enough and at Buffalo Soccer Club. The
funds for the 32 members to be able band even played in the Buffalo Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Do you sense your Creator, O world?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Seek Him above the canopy of stars!
to go. Sesquicentennial parade. The GAM
The 16 day tour, included 12 float won first prize in its category! Über Sternen muß er wohnen. He must dwell beyond the stars
concerts throughout Germany and In 1982, the Federation of Ger-
Austria by the band, accompanied man American Societies named
by spouses, relatives and friends to- George Hinterbichler “German-
taling about 68 people on the tour. American of the Year.” The honor Linda McEvoy’s 40 years with GAM
The greatest thrill for the GAM dur- is bestowed yearly by the Federa-
ing the tour was a concert performed tion on a person who has furthered from page 1
Facility on an on-call basis until
at the Munich Beer Hall during the German-American relations in the Schlebus Memorial MVP Award in 2020 when she retired for good. Published by
famous Oktoberfest. The popular area. The Association is proud to 2012. Outside of the GAM, Linda Buffalo Standard Printing
Oktoberfests were born in Munich note that several others members She earned her LPN degree in likes to read, crochet, shop and 3620 Harlem Rd.
in 1810, when the first one was held have been named to this honor over 1969 where she was in the first travel. Cheektowaga, NY 14215
716-831-8013
to observe the wedding of King the years. graduating class from BOCES. For Linda is the oldest of five sib- mail@thegermancitizen.com
Ludwig I. Next Issue: The Tour of Germa- the next 46 years she worked in the lings. Fifty-five years ago, Linda Editor - Roger Puchalski
Other places visited during the ny and next 40 years. surgery units and geriatrics wings at married her high school sweetheart, Consulting Editor - Martin Ederer
tour, which began and ended in many hospitals in the area. She re- Vern. Together they have two chil-
Frankfurt, included our sister city tired in 2016 from working full time dren, six grandchildren and three For Advertising Sales call:
Dortmund, Drolshagen, Heppen- and decided to work part time at great grandchildren. Michelle Kisluk or
Garden Gate Health Care and Rehab Steve Kroczynski