Elmar Wiesenmüller's Bergvagabunden – Bavarian Oktoberfest band from Germany

The Bavarian band Bergvagabunden, with their singer Elmar Wiesenmüller, specialises in Oktoberfest events. The Bergvagabunden are among the most popular Bavarian bands among international event organisers. The Bergvagabunden usually perform as a trio with two professional musicians/singers and a professional female singer. All band members have vocal education or education on their instrument.

Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in Paris (Source: https://www.orchestre-bavarois.fr)
Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in Paris (Source: https://www.orchestre-bavarois.fr)

 

Bavarian musicians also perform in Paris and London

The Oktoberfest is not only popular throughout Germany. Oktoberfest events are held in many countries. The band Bergvagabunden is now also well known in cities such as Paris and London.

Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in London (Source: https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/oktoberfest-band-germany/london-birmingham-manchester-leeds-uk/)
Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in London (Source: https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/oktoberfest-band-germany/london-birmingham-manchester-leeds-uk/)

What instruments are used in traditional German music and yodelling?

There are many German musical instruments that are used in traditional German music. Here are the most important ones:

  • Accordion
  • Tuba or euphonium (baritone)
  • Trumpet
  • Clarinet
  • Zither
  • Alphorn
  • Guitar

These instruments are mainly found in traditional folk music in southern Germany and differ from the instruments used in classical German music. The most common traditional music genres are

  • Folk music
  • Tanzlmusi
  • Stubnmusi
  • Oberkrainer (originally from Slovenia)

Singing is important, with a switch between head voice and chest voice – yodelling. Popular yodelling songs are

  • Kufstein Lied
  • Heidi
  • Sunny Yodel ("Sonnenjodler")

If you want to see the typical musical instruments, the common genres and the famous yodelling on YouTube, you can watch videos of the band Bergvagabunden at https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/videos/.

Important: at events with an ‘Oktoberfest’ theme, traditional German and Bavarian music is always combined with pop and rock music. Simple German-language pop music (called ‘Schlager’) is played a lot.

Ein Prosit – meaning and translation

The literal translation of the lyrics Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit is “Cheers to cosiness”. The meaning is: it’s nice to be here, in this cosy atmosphere, let’s drink to that. Let’s drink beer, and not just one. (Source: https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/ein-prosit-der-gemuetlichkeit/ This site also features a video of the song “Ein Prosit”.)

Traditional German - Bavarian dance “Schuhplattler”

The most famous German dance is a Bavarian dance. In the Schuhplattler, the male dancers slap their calves with their hands while young women in long dresses twirl around them. Elmar Wiesenmüller is the only agency in Germany that professionally arranges various Bavarian  dancers for corporate events in Munich and Bavaria. Prices for a Schuhplattler performance and various videos featuring Schuhplattler dancers can be found on the German website schuhplattler.de.

Bavarian, Austrian and Swiss music

Traditional Bavarian music, Austrian music and Swiss music sound very similar. German is sung and yodelled in all three regions. Another typical feature is the alphorn, which originally comes from Switzerland. The songs of the individual regions are also known in the other areas.

Examples of Swiss music:

  • Vogelusi
  • Heidi
  • Petra Sturzenegger

Examples of Austrian music:

  • Dem Land Tirol die Treue
  • Hulapalu
  • Du entschuldige i kenn di

Examples of Bavarian music

  • Auf die Vogelwiese
  • Rehragout
  • Skandal um Rosi

Many Oktoberfest bands have Bavarian, Austrian and Swiss music in their repertoire. Detailed information about the music of Oktoberfest bands can be found at https://www.bergvagabunden.com/oktoberfest-band/

Bavarian orchestra in France, Switzerland and Belgium

Anyone wishing to organise an Oktoberfest in France, western Switzerland or Belgium needs to choose their orchestra very carefully. French songs are unknown in Germany, just as German songs are unknown in French-speaking countries.

Elmar Wiesenmüller's Bergvagabunden are the only Bavarian orchestra in Germany that specialises in this and sings in both German and French (source: https://mediaconnect.com/quand-la-baviere-debarque-en-entreprise-lincroyable-orchestre-bavarois-en-france?lang=fr).

Oktoberfest in Italy and Spain

Oktoberfest is also well known in Italy and Spain. German songs are unknown in these countries, but the sound of Bavarian music is very popular. When booking a Bavarian band, make sure that they play Italian songs in Italy and Spanish songs in Spain, in addition to English songs.

Many German bands play the Italian song ‘Sara perche ti amo’. The band ‘Bergvagabunden’ has around a dozen Italian songs and around a dozen Spanish songs in its repertoire, for example for an Oktoberfest in Barcelona or an Oktoberfest in Bologna.

Event agency for corporate events in Munich, Hanover, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf

Elmar Wiesenmüller has an event agency for corporate events in Munich, Hanover, Cologne and Dusseldorf. His agency offers

  • musicians
  • DJs
  • dancers
  • audio & video (AV) sound & light
  • staff & hostesses
  • catering
  • transport & shuttle
  • venue scouting

Summary

If you are planning an event in Europe, Arabia or Asia and are looking for traditional Bavarian musicians with an authentic Oktoberfest band, there are various service providers to choose from. One of the best known and most versatile bands and orchestras is Elmar Wiesenmüller's Bergvagabunden.