They are record-breakers on several levels: The Kastelruther Spatzen are considered the most famous German-language folk music group. The superlatives of the band from South Tyrol include more than 30,000 live performances and over a dozen renowned Echo music awards.
Kastelruther Spatzen - Breakthrough at the Grand Prix of Folk Music
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On a high plateau in the Dolomites lies the tranquil community of Kastelruth. There, in 1975, six musicians founded a group dedicated to folk songs. A few years later, the name was chosen: Kastelruther Spatzen.
The Kastelruther Spatzen's first CD in 1983, entitled "Viel Spaß und Freude", also known as "Das Mädchen mit den erloschenen Augen", was a great success and went gold. In 1990, the group performs at the Grand Prix of Folk Music. They win this prestigious event with the song "Tränen passen nicht zu dir".
After that, the Kastelruther Spatzen are unstoppable. Almost every year the band releases a CD, one success follows another. It is a very special mixture of soulful melodies and romantic, sensitively performed lyrics that distinguishes the group from many mayflies in the folk music business.
In the songs of the Kastelruther Spatzen, there are two themes in the foreground: love and nature. Above all, the mountains are a matter close to the hearts of the South Tyroleans - how could it be otherwise? The band dedicates albums like "Wenn Berge träumen" and "Dolomitenfeuer" to the local Dolomites.
The seven members and their love of music
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The Kastelruther Spatzen consist of seven musicians. In addition to founding members Valentin Silbernagl on saxophone and Walter Mauroner on trumpet, they are singer and band leader Norbert Rier, Albin Gross on accordion and keyboard, bass guitarist Karl Heuffler and guitarist and singer Kurt Dasser.
Drummer Rüdiger Hemmelmann finally completes the group. He is the only non-Tyrolean in the Kastelruther Spatzen: Hemmelmann comes from Würzburg and joined the Spatzen in 1991. To this day he says that the fact that the Spatzen were looking for a drummer was the best tip he had ever received.
A special feature of the Kastelruther Spatzen is the down-to-earthness that the group retains despite all its success. For example, band leader Norbert Rier still works in his profession as a farmer and horse breeder. Albin Gross also still runs his wholesale beverage business.
Kastelruther Spatzen - Great emotions and catchy melodies
Whoever has tickets for the Kastelruther Spatzen can look forward to an evening of great feelings, melodies with catchy character and a good-humoured band. You can tell from their shows that the Kastelruther Spatzen haven't lost their love of music even decades after the band was founded.
In addition to the Kastelruther Spatzen's tours throughout German-speaking Europe, the Kastelruther Open Air Concert is also part of the group's live programme. But above all, the Kastelruther Spatzen Festival in the band's hometown is one of the highlights for tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans: Traditionally, the Alpine town is transformed into a huge festival area for three days in October.
Many visitors travel from out of town and take the opportunity to visit the Kastelruther Spatzen museum. It was founded in 2005 by Walter Mauroner. Here you can trace the history of the band in seven lovingly designed Alpine rooms with the help of numerous exhibits.
