A Melodious Festival of Encounters – 10th Bremen Recorder Day
Between musical curiosity, organisational excellence and heartfelt moments of connection
How does Venice sound in the hands of 90 recorder players?
The 10th Bremen Recorder Day, held on 25 May 2025, offered a compelling answer. Between musical curiosity, organisational excellence and heartfelt moments of connection, the day became a deeply moving highlight for music lovers of all generations.
Anticipation, curiosity, stage fright – a spirited beginning
A special atmosphere filled the air early that morning: joy and excitement mingled with a touch of nervousness. And not just among the 90 or so participants who had made their way to the HfK.
“Can I keep up with the score? What is it like to make music at a university?" – these were just some of the questions accompanying their arrival.
There was also a sense of focused anticipation on the part of the organisers. “Let’s hope everything runs smoothly,” said Dörte Nienstedt, initiator and artistic director of the event. Yet any initial nervousness soon gave way to a strong sense of community. “We’re all in this together” became the day’s unspoken motto – and it carried through every moment.
Orchestra, sound experiments, ensembles, mini-concert
That the recorder is far more than just a beginner’s instrument was impressively demonstrated throughout the day. From children playing soprano recorders to musicians handling the sub-bass, the full sonic range was on display. A moment of wonder: “I had no idea recorders could be so big!” – marvelled more than one child.
A clear highlight was the moderated mini-concert in the HfK’s concert hall. Students from the recorder classes had curated a varied programme under the theme Venice, the central motif of this year's Recorder Day. Their performances presented the recorder as a serious artistic instrument – in solos, quartets, and in combination with harpsichord, harp and voice.
Equally captivating were the sound experiments led by Dörte Nienstedt. Within an hour, a diverse group of 25 participants created a sonic collage using voice, movement, canon, and texts by Casanova, Einstein and Donna Leon – a vibrant demonstration of how multifaceted recorder music can be.
A grand finale
The day culminated in a celebratory final concert. The atmosphere in the packed gallery of the HfK was both festive and focused. Two large-scale ensemble works – including a 16-part piece by Venetian composer Tiburtio Massaino – formed a powerful and emotional conclusion.
The concert reflected the richness of the day: student-led ensembles presented their rehearsed pieces, the sound experiments offered a moment of creative reflection, and above all, the shared joy of music-making – across generations and free from performance pressure – filled the space.
A day shaped by dedication
The smooth running of the day – from the punctual delivery of customised sheet music to the flawless flow of the concert – was the result of meticulous planning. Special recognition goes to the student team: Fangchi Hsu, Julia Kämmerer, Jorunn Kumkar, Chaeeun Lee, Leah Meier, Aurelia Preu, Tsai-Hsuan Shen and Gregorii Titov – who were the organisational and musical backbone of the event.
The day also marked a special debut: Mirjam-Luise Münzel, newly appointed at the HfK, conducted the large recorder orchestra for the first time. With sensitivity, musical finesse and confident direction, she guided the ensemble through the complex programme and immediately won over the participants.
Reflection and outlook
At the end of the day: tired smiles, but deep satisfaction. “Phew, we did it,” sighed the helpers – closely followed by: “When’s the next one?” Feedback ranged from “Thank you for a fantastic day” to “I want to study recorder in Bremen!”
One email, received the following morning, read: “Bravo Bravissimo, many times over – it was harmonious, skilful, and radiated positivity throughout. An event like this is a true gift.”
The 10th Bremen Recorder Day was far more than just an event – it was a celebration of music, connection, community, and passion. A shining example of how education, artistic practice and collective creativity go hand in hand at the HfK Bremen. A day to remember – resonant, touching, and unifying.
