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Magical dulcimer worlds: A festival of sounds in St. Stefan!
On June 11, 2025, the concert “Magical Dilluminating Worlds” in St. Stefan thrilled people with a variety of folk music to jazz, conducted by Ulrike Knapp-Korb-Weidenheim.
Magical dulcimer worlds: A festival of sounds in St. Stefan!
On June 11, 2025, an extraordinary concert entitled “Magical Dulcimer Worlds” took place in the Rosenhalle St. Stefan im Rosental. The event was filled to capacity and was led by Ulrike Knapp-Korb-Weidenheim. The main focus was on the versatility of the dulcimer, which is widely used in folk music but is often perceived as a mere accompanying instrument.
The varied program included various music genres, including folk music, world music, hits, baroque sounds, (Austro) pop and jazz. A total of over 4,500 strings were carefully tuned to guarantee an unforgettable sound experience. The mix of 71 dulcimers and 18 other instruments made for an impressive performance that ended with an Irish medley and received rapturous applause.
Diverse contributors from the region
With more than 70 participants from various music schools, the event was a community project. The music schools involved came from St. Stefan im Rosental, Gnas, Ilz, Feldbach, Mureck, Weiz, Dobl-Zwaring, Gamlitz, Ehrenhausen and the Klangwelt Salterina from Leibnitz. A special highlight was the “String Cento” dulcimer orchestra, which performed under the direction of Renate Praßl and Waltraud Hirschmann.
The event pursued an important goal: to get young people excited about the dulcimer and to introduce them to the diversity of this instrument. Pankraz Schadler, a regional dulcimer maker from Kirchbach, also exhibited his instruments and thus provided an insight into the craftsmanship side of music.
In contrast to this cultural highlight, there are also other interesting places in the folk scene that offer music and a good atmosphere. For example, the Ala Pagrabs folk club in Riga, Latvia, which is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and attracts many students, expats and embassy staff. Tripadvisor reports on the lively atmosphere of the club, which offers Latvian beers and delicious food such as dumplings and potato pancakes.
The combination of high-quality music and appealing food ensures an unforgettable experience at the Ala Pagrabs folk club. Events such as the “Magical Dulcimer Worlds” in St. Stefan provide a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of folk music in various regions. Such events help to promote a love of music and traditional instruments in younger generations.
At a time when cultural events are often under pressure, both the Ala Pagrabs folk club and the “Magische Dulcimer Worlds” show how important and lively the music scene in Europe is.