“Galakonzert“ MenschenSinfonieOrchester, Ltg. A. Palmitessa KunstSalon-Orchester, Ltg. Klaus der Geiger Special Guests: Richard Bargel, Mbaye Tama & C. Erario Mod. Hans Mörtter

In the organizer's words:

"Gala concert"

with the

MenschenSinfonieOrchester, conducted by Alessandro Palmitessa

and the

KunstSalon Orchestra, conducted by Klaus der Geiger

Special guests:

Richard Bargel, Aladij Mbaye Tama, Cosimo Erario

Moderation:

Hans Mörtter

Two very special orchestras from Cologne, the MenschenSinfonieOrchester (MSO) and the KunstSalon Orchestra, with two energetic personalities such as Alessandro Palmitessa and Klaus der Geiger (Klaus von Wrochem) conducting their respective orchestras and combining their musical programs and the sounds of the two orchestras.
A gala evening in support of the MSO and its future together with special guests such as the Senegalese percussionist Mbaye and the Italian singer and guitarist Cosimo Erario as well as the Cologne blues legend Richard Bargel.

The evening will be hosted by Hans Mörtter, who has been supporting projects in Cologne's Südstadt district and throughout the city of Cologne for years that were thought to be impossible: "The MSO is one of my favorite projects in its professional uniqueness in Germany" (H. Mörtter). The musicians form a truly global cross-section of our society. "The message of the MSO: We are colorful, we are diverse in our great diversity. We make great music - never write anyone off because they are different and live differently from others." (H. Mörtter). "The MSO is probably one of the most unusual symphony orchestras in Germany, 20 musicians, divided into percussion, bass group, piano, wind instruments and vocals, create their typical orchestral sound with verve." (WDR). The director of the orchestra says: "What is now in vogue as inclusion, we have been doing from the beginning." (A. Palmitessa).

Thu. 28.11.24, 20:00 h
Lutherkirche (50677 Cologne-Südstadt, Martin-Luther-Platz 1)

KunstSalon Orchestra conducted by Klaus der Geiger

The KunstSalon has had its own orchestra since 1997. The KunstSalon is a place where not only artists are presented, but where they also meet each other. This is why enthusiastic professionals and committed non-professionals have been rehearsing together in the KunstSalon for over 20 years under the direction of Klaus der Geiger. With their enthusiasm, their joy of playing, their varied repertoire and a constant stream of different renowned guest musicians, they have gained a large fan base at their numerous concerts. The KunstSalon Orchestra is not only a great enrichment for the KunstSalon, the orchestra is also dedicated to social projects. For example, it supports the integrative Zwirnerstraße elementary school:

Klaus der Geiger regularly rehearses musical performances with pupils, which are then performed together with the KunstSalon orchestra. In addition to conducting the KunstSalon Orchestra, Klaus der Geiger also gives courses in improvisation (e.g. LAG Musik NRW; Papageno Music School, Cologne; Festival Vielsaitg, Füssen), performs at numerous concerts with various formations and can occasionally be heard or seen on radio and television.

Richard Bargel is one of the few innovative German blues musicians of note. He has already been awarded the "German Record Critics' Prize" twice and received two further nominations. On the road since 1970, he has long been one of the blues icons. He is also active as an actor, author, narrator and composer of film music.

COSIMO ERARIO The producer, composer, singer and jazz guitarist Cosimo Erario completed various master classes and seminars with Pat Metheny, Joe Diorio, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Michael Landau, Andy Timmons, Frank Gambale, Umberto Fiorentino, Herbie Hanckock, Hans Zimmer and a year of study at Siena Jazz. With his sixth album, "The Diamond Quarter", which contains many quiet ballads, Cosimo Erario has won two awards in Los Angeles.

Aladji Mbaye Tama comes from a family of Senegalese musicians (griots). The griots pass on the traditional knowledge and traditions of their community through their art. To do this, Aladji Mbaye uses the tama (talking drum), which he is a master of and which really does the talking.

Hans Mörtter was born in Bonn in June 1955. His father was a master butcher and had his own store. He inherited his cheerful Rhineland nature from him and his mother gave him a lasting basic confidence. Hans Mörtter began studying theology in Bonn in 1975. In 1984/85, he worked for a year in Bogotá in Colombia as a pastor in the German-speaking community abroad. He also devoted himself to working with street children. He is still working with the "Teatro La Candelaria" from Bogotá with Gamines (Cultura de la calle = culture from the street) and his ally Patricia Ariza, the new Minister for Cultures. In 1987, Hans Mörtter joined the Luther Church in Cologne's Südstadt district as a pastor. He is an avowed carnivalist, Nubbel speaker, Fortuna pastor, husband and father of a daughter. New, modern forms of worship are important to him, in which the event becomes a special and moving experience. On October 9, 2017, Pastor Hans Mörtter was awarded the Georg Leber Prize for Civil Courage together with his Catholic colleague Pastor Franz Meurer. In 2020, he started the video series "Kölner Wort zum Sonntag". In September 2022, he was relieved of his duties as pastor of the Luther Church after 35 years.

Price information:

Free admission to all festival events. Given the limited number of places, we recommend that you reserve a place as early as possible. To reserve a place, please write to this e-mail address: festivalitaliana@googlemail.com Free admission! To reserve a place, please write to this e-mail address: festivalitaliana@googlemail.com