Drüggelte Concerts - "DREAMS OF GLASS"

Playing on glass bowls is an ancient art. Even in the ancient civilizations of Asia, people were fascinated by the sound of swinging glass; in the Middle Ages, minstrels in Europe delighted their audiences. The verrillon (glass game), documented as early as 1492, was replaced by the glass harmonica invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1760. Its simpler playing style encouraged the development of virtuoso literature, to which Mozart and Beethoven also contributed. After this heyday, the quiet tones fell into oblivion. Only since the end of the 20th century have newly developed glass instruments brought the sounds of classical and contemporary glass music back into concert halls.

Clemens Hofinger is considered one of the few virtuosos on this instrument. His glass harp, which can be heard today, comprises over 50 glass goblets in 31/2 octaves, each mouth-blown and cut to tone especially for the instrument: No water is required for tuning. There are only a few glass instruments of this size and quality in the world.

Supported by the guitar duo Karin and Wolfgang Bargel, attractive tonal contrasts are created between the plucked notes of the guitars and the ever-so-soft sound of the glass harp. The program includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederic Hand, James Bassi, Eric Satie, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Astor Piazzolla.