Oom-pah Bands and Buskers in Munich and Salzburg
japra | Jul 10, 2008 | Comments 10
Germany really does mean huge beers, sauerkraut, grilled sausages, and strudel. And music? Well, at least in Bavaria, it’s toe-tapping oom-pah. It didn’t matter that we couldn’t understand the words (though I am sure we missed something good because the locals were laughing a lot). We just swung our glaskrugs around when everyone else did.
I thought the band at Weisses Bräuhaus München was so fun. Seated at a round table near the door, this band could be heard inside as well as out. The musician with his back toward us did the singing. He’s the one who had the patrons laughing and slapping each other on the back.
The Hofbräuhaus München hosts an excellent, enthusiastic band. Don’t pound your glass down on the table in time to the music, though. The waitresses will ask you to stop (it wasn’t us, of course).
Here’s the Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten or English Garden. There are 7,000 seats here–wow! The Oom-pah band plays from the second level–can you see the band members in their white shirts? Here’s a cool aerial view of the complex, by the way. The original pagoda burned down in World War II, too bad. This is a replica, built in 1952.
As for the buskers, we saw a number of them, of course. We especially liked this group–Tal Concert. When searching online for more information on this group, I found lots of bloggers raving about them, but I couldn’t find a website. If there is one, I’d love to know! This lively group of talented musicians played the “classical hits”. Yes, we bought their CD.
And finally, this busker (can you call a guy playing a grand piano a “busker”?!) was in Salzburg. I am sorry to say that we walked right by him because we were exhausted from the hours of walking around the fortress. However, now I wish I had paused for just a moment to appreciate his talents.
Are you interested in reading more about our trip to Germany and Austria in June 2008? Click here for an index of posts.
Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • Featured • Germany
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
The pagoda reminds me of those german Christmas tower/candle things. I used to have a boss who collected those. I don’t know what they’re called. Man, I’m rambling this morning. Wish I could go back to bed…
What a wonderful journey through music! It seems that it was everywhere. I went to that one link on youtube you put on of the group you liked so much. That was very cool!
Laurie–I wish I could go back to bed as well. Too many late nights during the summer, yet I try to wake up by 6:30 to get stuff done before Roxi wakes up. Ugh. It’s catching up on me, though. I think I know what you mean about those tower/candle things.
Alyson–I cannot tell you how fabulous those oom-pah bands were. Bavaria is a fun place well lubricated with beer–haha! Did you go to Germany while you were here?
Unfortunately, no, I didn’t get to Germany. My brother was an exchange student in Germany several years after I was an exchange student in England. I would like to travel Europe again since I didn’t get to all the places I would have liked to. Perhaps, someday, my husband will get a job that transfers us to the UK for a bit. That would be a dream!
Alyson–You never know! Especially since you just put that thought “out there” ;-) As much as I love England, I wouldn’t mind living on the Continent for a while, just to make the other countries easier to visit. I wouldn’t even mind learning another language! OK, so I just put that idea “out there”–haha! Let’s see what the Universe does with those two thoughts ;-)
Hey, I like your thinking!
Oh my goodness, how did that last busker get his grand piano in situ?
JAPRA,
I was actually born in Germany. It is definitely one of my dreams to live somewhere in Europe. Although, having seen Mamma Mia yesterday, Greece looks pretty nice, too. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take a dip in the ocean right now?
How much fun! It takes me back although I’ve never been to Germany. We used to have an Oom-pah band at our block fair in NYC as it was originally a German/Austrian neighborhood. The fair was called an Octoberfest.
I’m a little confused about when you took the vacation as I thought you were about to go on it. You must have explained earlier, but I’ve been so distracted by the pending move I retain little. I’m now just about ready.
I like your idea of having an index of all vacation posts. I might borrow that idea for my sabbatical posts as archives and labels are hard to navigate. I look forward to future installments!
I really enjoyed this post. And the photos! Thank you for sharing. Although it really makes me want to travel abroad… :)
Bee–I would love to live on the Continent, especially now that I’ve got a grip on this expat living–haha. Where in Germany were you born?
Sarah–We went on holiday in June. I’ll go back and fix that index. Thanks!
Barrie–Well, I know that you’re going on holiday soon… Hope you post some photos.