Eurofest 2010

[nigelgatherer]

Last week I went to Bruchsal in Southern Germany for the Eurofest, a four-day long festival of plucked-string music. It happens every four years, and is possibly the most important mandolin festival. There was non-stop music, morning noon and night, with several options each slot. I chose to view as many orchestras as I could, so I witnessed wonderful music from many countries. I had been booked to give a workshop at the last Eurofest in 2006, but I had to pull out at the last minute, so I was determined to make it this time. In spite of a brief hiccup when our BA flight was cancelled, I did!

There were about a thousand players of plucked instruments there and I felt the same as Mike Marshall when he said, "I am with my people!" Hearing Mike duetting with Caterina Lichtenberg was one of my highlights, and Oliver Kalberer conducting his "Vishnu" suite. Meeting (and even just standing near in the case of Kalberer, Lichtenberg, Marshall and Aonzo) so many giants of the mandolin world was a thrill for a little fan like myself. Talking with mando friends and acquaintances such as Frances Taylor, Steffi Rauch, Keith Harris and Ali Stephens was no less a thrill, and gives me an opportunity to name-drop!

It was undoubtedly a fantastic experience for me, and one which will take a long time to assimilate. I also got lots of ideas for repertoire for the orchestra, and you will be hearing my proposals in good time.