The Rheingau Musik Festival classic marathon – a chance for young classical talents

The duo Carlo Lay (cello) and Ana Bakradze (piano)/Foto: RMF

As every year, the Classical Music Marathon was a fixture at the Rheingau Music Festival in 2025. Every year, young up-and-coming musicians are given the opportunity to present themselves to the international music and festival world. Many young musicians who made their debut here have gone on to become international stars. The Rheingau, with its castles and palaces, churches, monasteries, and wineries, is not only considered the home of delicious wines, but also, with the festival, a springboard for great musical careers. Continue reading “The Rheingau Musik Festival classic marathon – a chance for young classical talents”

Lufthansa flagship is shining in its former glory

Lockheed Super Star, Lockheed L-1649A/Foto: Lufthansa

In 1957, the Lockheed Super Star, the Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, or Super Connie, as it is colloquially known, joined the Lufthansa fleet and for the first time received the Senator class as the most exclusive travel option.

The focus of its service was the non-stop service to New York across the North Atlantic. The aircraft represented a technical masterpiece. With its four piston engines, it closed the chapter of classic propeller aircraft. The flights, which lasted up to 17 hours, departed from Hamburg. The Super Star is 35.42 meters long, has a wingspan of 45.18 meters, and is 7.12 meters high.
Frankfurt, August 8, 2025 – Now, Lufthansa’s former flagship is shining in its former glory. The icon of the skies Continue reading “Lufthansa flagship is shining in its former glory”

Fred Wesley & The New JBs feat. Martha High

Do. 26.6.25 | 19:30 Uhr | Schloss Johannisberg, Cuvéehof | Fredric Wesley, leader; Martha High, voc, special guest; Joya Wesley, Manager · Dwayne Dolphin, bass, Peter Madsen, keys · Gary Winters, trumpet, Bruno Speight, guitar · Bryan Morris, drums; Charles McNeal, sax

There was an absolute party atmosphere in the Cuveehof at Schloss Johannisberg on June 26, 2025, when  Fred Wesley and his New JB’s thrilled the audience with a mixture of funk, R’n’B and soul. A very special interlude was provided by 80-year-old Martha High, who zipped across the stage with incredible energy, a powerful voice, a striking hairstyle, elegance and a performance reminiscent of Tina Turner, finally getting off the stage and dancing into the rows of the audience. Parts of the audience also got up and danced along.

Do. 26.6.25 | 19:30 Uhr | Schloss Johannisberg, Cuvéehof | Fredric Wesley, leader; Martha High, voc, special guest; Joya Wesley, Manager · Dwayne Dolphin, bass, Peter Madsen, keys · Gary Winters, trumpet, Bruno Speight, guitar · Bryan Morris, drums; Charles McNeal, sax

Funk Legends Reunited
Jazz legend Fred Wesley, the internationally acclaimed trombonist and former musical director of James Brown’s band, celebrated his debut at the Rheingau Music Festival this year. With his concert on June 26, he brought funky grooves to the Cuvéehof at Schloss Johannisberg. Together with the impressive singer Martha High, who also performed with James Brown for 30 years, and the band The New JB’s, he brought the legacy of funk to the stage with new energy. The ensemble impressed Continue reading “Fred Wesley & The New JBs feat. Martha High”

Another summer full of music – Opening concert II of the Rheingau Music Festival 2025

Sun. June 22, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Kurhaus Wiesbaden, Friedrich-von-Thiersch-Saal | Beatrice Rana, piano; MDR Radio Choir; Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Alain Altinoglu, conductor

The summer of music in the Rheingau has begun again. The picturesque landscape and wine region stretching along the right bank of the Rhine, from Wiesbaden to the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, is once again the backdrop for the Rheingau Music Festival, founded in 1988 by Michael Herrmann, the festival’s artistic director. From June 21 to September 6, 2025, there will be 154 concerts at 27 venues in Wiesbaden and the Rheingau.

The Opening Concert II took place in the magnificent Friedrich von Thiersch Hall of the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden. “Une barque sur l’océan in F-sharp minor from Miroirs M. 43” by auMrice Ravel (1875-1937) and his Concerto for Piano

Continue reading “Another summer full of music – Opening concert II of the Rheingau Music Festival 2025”

The “Supergau” festival – interaction between art and environmental protection in rural areas

Damour&The Good – Soundcheck at the festival location Superstadl/Foto: Susi Schmalz

From May 23 to June 1, 2025, the Oberpinzgau in the province of Salzburg became a space, a landscape, where art was to find completely new spaces. Forests and meadows, mountains and lakes, national park valleys, especially the Habachtal valley, villages and hay barns became a stage for ten days. The numerous events, which also focused on the interaction between environmental protection and art, were well attended.

For over a year, international artists explored the Pinzgau region, the westernmost region of the province of Salzburg, did research, 

talked to local people, took up themes and issues and developed them artistically.

Damour&The Good at the “Supergau” Festival in Oberpinzgau

The song “Mercy” by Hannes Muhr, an artist who himself lives in Oberpinzgau, the venue of the “Supergau” festival, accompanied by his band, dramatically and forcefully points out the destruction of the environment with sound and lyrics.

Humanity is digging its own grave (“I’m digging a hole, am I digging the grave?”) with its irresponsible treatment of nature and the environment. Nature is reacting: glaciers are melting, mountains start crumbling, sea levels are rising – isn’t that still enough?

The song was very well received by the festival visitors. The “Stadl” served as the band’s stage on May 30th in Uttendorf.

“Mercy” from Damour&The Good:

The festival (cost around 650,000 euros) was 100% financed by the state of Salzburg Continue reading “The “Supergau” festival – interaction between art and environmental protection in rural areas”