Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester


The Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester was a wind band founded in 1976 in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, with a political program. It performed at protest demonstrations, Rock gegen Rechts, and the Russell Tribunal, among others. The professionals Heiner Goebbels, Alfred Harth, and Rolf Riehm were founders and regular players of the band, which made two recordings that were re-released in 1999. The group disbanded in 1981.

History

The Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester was a wind band founded in 1976 in Frankfurt. Two players, Heiner Goebbels and Alfred Harth, were the core of the formation of about 20 members. Both were also soloists, and, in addition, they collaborated as the Duo Goebbels/Harth. Other players included Rolf Riehm and Thomas Jahn. Among the members there were only a few professionals. They recorded with the actor Ernst Stötzner and the publicist Cora Stephan, who learned to play the flute to be able to participate in the orchestra. The band was close to student protests for political and social improvements, with topics such as civil disobedience, protest against nuclear power and offenses against human rights. They played at events of the Frankfurt scene, trying to add music with a political message. They were inspired by Hanns Eisler's music, with a communicative dimension. Their repertory included his songs, including his "Solidaritätslied" on a text by Brecht, compositions by Goebbels, Harth and Riehm, arrangements of works by Frank Zappa and Nino Rota, new instrumentation of classical pieces such as a Bach prelude from the Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, and arrangements of folk music from Chile. Texts were related to political events, setting political literature by Erich Fried and to music.
They performed at demonstrations against the Brokdorf Nuclear Power Plant and the Gorleben Nuclear Waste Repository, at Rock gegen Rechts, concerts against far-right politics, and the Russell Tribunal. Their activities have been described as applied politics by means of music. The band also played at the 1980 JazzFest Berlin at the Berliner Philharmonie. They disbanded in 1981.

Members

Band members featured on recordings were:
Thomas Jahn, Gudrun Stocker, Cora Stephanflute
Volker Haas, Reinhard Bussmann, Herwig Heise, Walter Ybemaclarinet
Klaus Becker, Johannes Eisenberg, Gunther Lohrtrumpet
Barbara Müller-Rendtorff, Rolf Riehm, Henning Wiesealto saxophon
Christoph Anders, Heiner Goebbels, Alfred Harthtenor saxophon
Michael Hoehler, Peter Liesertrombone
Uwe Schriefer, Jörn Stückrathtuba
Ernst Stötznervocal

Recordings

A review of the 1980 CD noted that the cover shows protests in Gorleben. The music is described as a varied and surprising selection, and in manifold styles and instrumentations. The CDs were combined in the compilation 1976–1981, released on CD in 1999.