Early music in focus: Rare sounds inspire in Salzburg!

Early music in focus: Rare sounds inspire in Salzburg!

Autumn is slowly becoming noticeable and the musical world of Salzbur experienced a very special evening on October 13, 2025. The “Days of Old and New Music” event organized by the Salzburg Hofhymer Society took place in the Erhardkirche in Nonntal. The small but fine audience, which consisted of less than 20 people, was able to experience a special evening with high-quality performances.

The star of the evening was the baritone and drummer Philipp Lamprecht, who is after all an expert in early music. He had chosen an exciting topic for the concert: early polyphony in music history. He was supported by the internationally acclaimed singer Sabine Lutzenberger, who appeared as a guest. Her extensive experience with medieval music and her deep knowledge make her a sought-after artist in this field. Loud Hofhaymer Society Lutzenberger began her musical path in the “ensemble for early music Augsburg” and has since built an impressive career.

A look into the musical past

The concert not only offered a look back at music history, but also a journey into the origins of music. The heart of the evening was Gregorian chant, which is considered the first form of music in the region and emerged in the 8th and 9th centuries. The roots of this music are deeply anchored in the liturgical traditions of the Western Church. The of Wikipedia The information transmitted shows that Gregorian chant is monophonic and unaccompanied and is considered an essential part of the liturgical action in the Roman Catholic Church.

In the Erhard Church, this chorale came into play in its simplest melodies, which have been passed on from generation to generation for centuries. The first written notation of these songs did not take place until the early 11th century, although the designation of the song in the context of liturgical events began as early as the 9th century.

An ensemble full of talent

Impressive instruments were used for the performances, including the knee harp, played by Lutzenberger, and the reconstructed Carolingian cythara and citole, which are based on ancient pictorial sources. Together with the ensemble PER:SONAT, Lutzenberger and her vocal colleagues, including Sarah H. Newman, Tobie Miller and Karin Weston, presented ancient poems by greats such as Horace.

Lamprecht himself accompanied himself at the concert with new arrangements of “Nibelungenlied,” which introduced the listeners to another facet of old music. In addition to the performances, further performances by the Salzburg vocal ensemble “voices unlimited” and the Hofhaymer instrumental ensemble were also announced.

The crypt under the Erhard Church not only provided an atmospheric setting for the concert, but also served as a meeting point for exchange and discussions after the performances. This makes it clear that this event was not just a musical experience, but also a personal moment of togetherness.

A promising outlook

Not to be forgotten is the connection to contemporary music. A special piece by Herbert Grassl, which was rewritten for Lamprecht, shows that the bridge between old and new music is definitely alive. In addition to the classics, there is also room for new sound worlds - a sign that the Salzburg Hofhymer Society has a good hand when it comes to program design.

Although the number of visitors to the concert was rather small, the commitment and passionate playing of the artists shows that the music of the past has a place in the present and that their performances can always touch people anew. So we can only hope that next time even more music enthusiasts will experience this special evening.