Im Weissen Rössl

Ralph Benatzki (b. 1884) Austrian composer of Czech origin (Bohemia was then part of the Austrian Empire; Benatzky mostly worked in Vienna). He studied music under the renowned conductor, Felix Josef von Mottl in Munich and worked as a conductor and lyric writer. In Vienna, he worked at Rideamus Cabaret as a creative director and composed numerous chanson and cabaret songs. In his late 20's after moving to Berlin, he composed musical-like works. He immigrated to the United States in 1938 and worked in Hollywood. He returned to Europe after the war and lived in Zurich until his last days in 1957.

The White Horse Inn was completed and premiered in 1930. In it, Leopold Brandmeyer, head waiter at The White Horse Inn, is hopelessly in love with his boss, the owner of the inn, Josepha Vogelhuber. The narrative is based on their love stories as well as other guests' and consists of three main parts. The Operetta, written in American musical style, utilizes melodies from "Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80" and Radetzky-Marsch in bitonality, employing innovative writing styles.

Although the original is in pops style, from [J] to [N] is more classical. The lower voices' pedal point reverberation is important. After [A] with the staccato eighth notes, play precisely as it's hard to stay structured. The mf part is the main melody at [B]. [C] includes "Was kommt dort von der Höh?" (What Comes from the Hill Up There?) from Brahms's "Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80". [E] accelerates with eighth note phrases. At [G], Trumpet needs to emphasize harmonized eighth notes. [I] depicts a train, trombone and woodwinds sounding the horn. Bluesy slurs at [J] need emphasis. From [J] to [R] maintain the tempo. Conduct without [.rit] before [L], [M], and [N]. The music can fall apart easily with [.rit]. After [N]'s segue, clarify when Aria starts at [O]. [O]'s main role balancing countermelody by midrange voices at mf. Differentiate the shift when the main melody takes over at [Q].

From [W] comes "Radetzky-Marsch" themes, intertwined with the March. This layering of melodies in different keys approaches the coda, overtaken by percussion crescendo to harken the grand finale in presto.

(Eiji Suzuki)

This piece can be performed by as little as under 35 people.

Concert & Festival,Wind Ensemble Limited (under 35) series,Z-YDAB-H01S,Z-YDAB-H01A,BRZYDABH01S,BRZYDABH01A