Musicbanda Franui & Die Strottern
Franzensfeste

A Schubertiade

That the Viennese song duo Die Strottern and the Musicbanda Franui would one day dedicate a joint celebration to Franz seemed to be destined on the Baltic island of Rügen, where the two ensembles shared the stage at a winter festival. “This must have been how it sounded when Schubert sang Winterreise to his friends,” said the Franuis at the end of Die Strottern’s song. “This must have been how it sounded when Schubert accompanied his friends’ dancing in winter,” said Die Strottern as the Franuis moved into the final chord. The plan to create a new Schubertiade was quickly made: songs, choirs, dances—the whole program.

“Franzensfeste” is—besides referencing the town of the same name near Innervillgraten in the Puster Valley—a special celebration for Franz, as true musicians call their Schubert.

“Franui is perhaps closest to the music of Franz Schubert. Behind the fresh and rough spontaneity of their interpretations lies meticulous attention to detail and sometimes a brilliant idea: for example, playing a waltz so slowly that time seems to turn on itself. Or come to a complete standstill. When Klemens Lendl and David Müller perform Viennese songs, the same often happens. With incomparable tone and inflection, they suspend time itself.” (Albert Hosp)