Benefit concert in Altenstadt: bassoon sounds for Welthungerhilfe!

Benefit concert in Altenstadt: bassoon sounds for Welthungerhilfe!

A benefit concert took place in Altenstadt's picturesque Nikolai Church, which not only highlighted musical diversity, but also the importance of solidarity with Welthungerhilfe. The local groups BUND and NABU have organized this two-part concert, which is the 29th of its kind in the last 35 years. FNP reports that the event was themed “Wars, Famines and Natural Disasters” and the guests were Dr. Werner Neumann (BUND) and Kurt Jungkind (NABU) were warmly welcomed.

The focus of the evening was the bassoon, which shone as the central instrument in the program. The bassoons were artfully made from sycamore maple by Stephan Leitzinger and played under the direction of bassoonist Karl Ventulett. Nine bassoonists aged 9 to 75 created an impressive variety of sounds in the concert. With works from five centuries, such as a Gaillarde from Codex F or the duet by Julius Weissenborn, they ensured a varied evening.

A program full of highlights

The concert opened with a community performance, followed by a famous spiritual that captivated the audience. Particular highlights were the solo etude by Weissenborn, dedicated to Ventulett's first teacher, and the Fandango by Antonio Soler, performed by Ulrike Fröhling on the baroque bassoon. Young people weren't left out either: their own compositions were presented by the young ensemble members.

The first part concluded with an Iranian resistance song, “Lalai” and an impressive Ricercare by Johann Sebastian Bach. After the break, the participants introduced themselves and impressed with pieces such as “Mille regretz” and an innovative presentation of Brahms and Beethoven's most famous works. The evening ended furiously with the encore “Pirates of the Caribbean,” which drew enthusiastic applause and shouts of bravo.

A sign for a better world

The donations collected benefit Welthungerhilfe and help alleviate the suffering of people in crisis areas. The organizers had already raised around 2,500 euros in the first BUND and NABU benefit concert. Overall, similar benefit concerts, such as Roland Vossebrecker's piano concertos, show that music has the power to draw attention to social and climate injustices. Oxfam highlights the importance of considering justice and climate change as parts of our social responsibility.

Donating admission to the concert is an unbureaucratic way to support people in need and at the same time enjoy your own taste in music. A real experience in which the passion for music goes hand in hand with the support of international aid projects.