Concert by the Rudolstadt Mandolin Orchestra

The Euterpe Mandolin Orchestra will host the Rudolstadt Mandolin Orchestra for a concert featuring, in the first half, the historic plectrum ensemble founded in 1919 and conducted by Daniela Heise; followed by the Bolzano plectrum orchestra conducted by Ugo Orrigo, and finally a joint performance by both orchestras. Thus, an evening with a European scope that demonstrates once again how the mandolin is a widely played and well-known instrument across the continent. 

The “Wanderlust” Mandolin Orchestra was founded in Rudolstadt in 1919. The orchestra’s extensive chronicle reports that in late autumn of that year, ten people interested in folk music gathered for a rehearsal at the “Zum Bärenbräu” restaurant on Rudolstadt’s market square.

The lithographer Willy Escher was a co-founder and the first musical director of the orchestra, which at that time performed under the name Mandolin Club “Wanderlust.” Looking at the old photos from the association’s chronicle, it is striking that, at least in Rudolstadt, mandolin playing was a male-dominated activity. Only one woman, Hildegard Escher, Willy Escher’s daughter, is a member of the association. She initially plays the piano and later the balalaika bass, which was custom-built for her.

From the very beginning, conductor Willy Escher set high standards for the playing ability of his fellow musicians. The chronicle reports that this sometimes led to heated discussions during rehearsal evenings. The requirement that the amateur musicians practice the new pieces at home and attend rehearsals not only regularly but also punctually runs like a common thread throughout.

However, the reception the orchestra received from the Rudolstadt audience since its first performance in 1920, along with its successes in competitions and orchestra comparisons, served as an incentive and motivation for everyone’s sincere efforts. Privately, every musician surely admits that the conductor’s high standards were a cornerstone of the orchestra’s success.

A particular highlight was the joint concert in 1930 with the Balalaika Orchestra of the Union of Students of the Soviet Union at the “Deutscher Krug” in Rudolstadt. It was also an honor for the orchestra that Harry Escher, the conductor’s son, was appointed first chair at the 1937 Reich Festival of the German Mandolin and Guitar Players’ Association.

However, the young orchestra soon had to overcome a bitter setback. Not only the outbreak of World War II, but also the death of Willy Escher in 1941 led to a hiatus in the orchestra’s activities.

In 1946, Harry Escher then initiated a new beginning. It was primarily he who shaped the “Mandolin Orchestra Wanderlust” until his retirement due to health reasons in 1974.

The chronicle provides insight into the orchestra’s active concert schedule under his direction. From 1951 to 1953, for example, 65 performances by the orchestra in the former Rudolstadt district are recorded. Since 1954, the association has been a member of the Rudolstadt District Council.

By 1969, the orchestra had given approximately 400 concerts of its own, provided musical accompaniment, or participated in musical programs. Under Harry Esche, the annual fall gala concert featuring newly rehearsed works, as well as the Christmas concerts, became a tradition. Radio and television recordings also made the orchestra known beyond the district’s borders.

In 1973, Ernst Linke succeeded Harry Escher as conductor. However, he was only able to lead the orchestra for a short time and carry on existing traditions.

Following Ernst Linke’s sudden death in 1980, Hannes Grübler, previously a guitarist in the orchestra, took up the baton and led the Rudolstadt Mandolin Orchestra with great success. He, too, set high standards for the orchestra’s performance and the expansion of its repertoire, particularly with regard to modern compositions.

During the 1980s, the orchestra began a lively collaboration and friendship with the composer Konrad Wölki, whose works shaped the orchestra’s repertoire for a long time. Of course, much has changed in the orchestra’s life over the years. This includes, above all, the range of musical repertoire, listening habits, as well as the association and the audience itself. The orchestra’s membership is also in a state of constant flux. Furthermore, it has never been—and remains to this day—no easy task to reconcile the musical interests and preferences of players ranging in age from 14 to 80.

In the late 1980s, the orchestra faced another crisis as its membership dwindled to 12 players, putting the association’s very existence in jeopardy. For these music lovers, however, it is clear that even a small orchestra can remain viable. Yet no one dares to look to the future. For since Harry Escher left the music school in 1965 and retired as a private teacher in 1969, no mandolin players have found their way into the orchestra.

Since the early 1990s, however, the Rudolstadt orchestra has been very fortunate to count a young mandolin teacher among its members. Jana Butters plays first mandolin and teaches guitar and mandolin at the music schools in Saalfeld and Rudolstadt. The orchestra’s hopes at the time rested on her to help solve the foreseeable problems with recruiting new members.

Since 1993, the mandolin orchestra has operated as a registered association. Numerous contacts, including international ones, have been established. Concert tours to Austria, Turkey, Italy, and Switzerland attest to the great dedication of the conductor, the board, and, not least, every single member. Furthermore, the association is able to reach a large regional audience, resulting in approximately 30 concerts performed each year. In 1999, the Senior Quartet/Septet was founded under the direction of Ursula Liebold.

A remarkable milestone in the association’s history occurred in December 2003, when Federal President Dr. Johannes Rau awarded Wolfgang Gazda the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. As a board member, he has guided the orchestra’s fortunes in an exemplary manner on a volunteer basis for decades and continues to support the association to this day with both advice and practical assistance.

Our long-standing orchestra member Ursula Liebold is being awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her social contributions, particularly within the mandolin orchestra.

Ursula Liebold has long rendered outstanding service as a private guitar teacher. As the daughter of Harry Escher, she embodies the connection to the association’s founders and is today the “longest-serving” active orchestra member. Many fellow musicians owe their skills to her.

Following the sudden death of his twin brother Hannes Grübler, Michael Grübler took over as musical director of the Rudolstadt Mandolin Orchestra and has guided it through the changing times to this day.

The Mandolin Orchestra Wanderlust e.V. Rudolstadt celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019.

From January 2020 to April 2026, Fritz Bauer conducted the Rudolstadt Mandolin Orchestra. He studied music education in Weimar. After working at the Hermsdorf Music School, the Erfurt Music School, and the Erfurt Puppet Theater, he joined the Saalfeld Music School, where he served as director until 2015.