Classical and entertaining

Akkordeon-Orchester Bayer Leverkusen

Since 1942 the Bayer Leverkusen Accordion Orchestra has been delighting the public with a wide-ranging repertoire from church music to modern popular music. It has also accompanied a children's ballet and performs works written specially for the orchestra.

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Versatile and unconventional: The Bayer Leverkusen Accordeon Orchestra

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Versatile and unconventional:
The Bayer Leverkusen Accordeon Orchestra

24 musicians play in the Bayer Leverkusen Accordion Orchestra under Monika Schneider, who took over as artistic director of the ensemble in 1997. Schneider also teaches at the music schools in the area and was herself the leader of the orchestra for many years.

The Bayer Leverkusen Accordion Orchestra is renowned for its artistic versatility, with a repertoire that ranges from the classics and church music to old and modern popular music. The ensemble has also made a name for itself by accompanying both choirs and soloists in concert.

History

The Bayer Leverkusen Accordion Orchestra was founded in 1942. The end of World War II briefly interrupted its development, and when activity was resumed in June 1945 the orchestra had neither instruments nor sheet music at its disposal. Five years later the orchestra, consisting of 20 musicians, made its first public appearance with Gustav Haseke as its conductor. That first concert marked the beginning of a quarter of a century of intensive and highly successful collaboration. In 1975 the Cologne cantor and music school director Eberhard Schneider took over. Under his aegis the orchestra built up a new repertoire. Schneider also had a special focus. He wrote works for the orchestra to accompany soloists and included these unusual compositions in the repertoire.

Something special

The orchestra's versatility is also borne out by its unconventional performance work in recent years. Thus, for example, together with the Bayer Dance Group, it staged Mitternachtsspuk, a children’s ballet for accordion orchestra and wind instruments. Another highlight was a concert during the Bayer Cultural Affairs Department’s French season. The guest artist on that occasion was the accordion soloist Marcel Azzola, who has accompanied famous chanson singers such as Edith Piaf and Yves Montand.

The Bayer Leverkusen Accordion Orchestra has successfully participated in national and international accordion competitions. The outstanding results it achieves bear witness to the orchestra's high level of musicality.

Contact and information:

Joachim Schmitz

joachim.schmitz@bayerbbs.com

You will find further details about the ensemble and dates here: http://aob-lev.de/

The ensemble is responsible for the contents of the site to which the link refers.