Music of Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
The Music of Luxembourg is an important component of the country's cultural life. The prestigious new Philharmonie
concert hall provides an excellent venue for orchestral concerts while opera is frequently presented in the theatres. Rock, pop and jazz are also popular with a number of successful performers. The wide general interest in music and musical activities in Luxembourg can be seen from the membership of the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
, the national music federation for choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups. Some 340 music groups and associations with over 17,000 individual members are currently represented by the organization.
presents excellent representations of the muses Euterpe
with her flutes and Erato
playing the lyre, testifying to an early interest in music. The 6th-century Latin poet Venantius Fortunatus
tells us he was impressed by the music he heard in the region. From the 8th century, the Abbey of Echternach
became an important centre for church music. Around the year 900, the abbey produced the Officium Sancti Willibrordi manuscript, one of the first examples of musical notation from Luxembourg.
After the Grand Duchy was established in 1815, interest in music slowly developed across the country, initially with patriotic music played by military bands. In 1842, the Luxembourg Army Band known as the Musique militaire grand-ducale was founded in Echternach with some 25 musicians from the battalion stationed there. In 1852, the Société philharmonique was founded in Ettelbrück
by the local priest J. B. Victor Müllendorf with the objective of "supporting all types of vocal and instrumental music". On the occasion of the first train from Luxembourg to Thionville
on 4 October 1859, the national poet Michel Lentz
wrote the words and music for De Feierwon, a patriotic song with the famous line Mir welle bleiwe wat mir sin (We want to remain as we are).
In the middle of the 19th century, music and singing societies became increasingly popular. A series of local composers wrote vocal music and light pieces to be performed by the brass bands and choirs which were also emerging everywhere. They included Joseph-Alexandre Müller
, Louis Beicht
and Emile Boeres
as well as Gustave Kahnt
and Pol Albrecht
who, apart from being prolific composers, were bandmasters for the Luxembourg Army Band.
1971 Monique Melsen represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Pomme Pomme Pomme" (Apple, Apple, Apple)
In the 80th and 90th of the last century several Luxembourgish musician were successful around the world. Ronny Riff had not only a hit single in Luxembourg but toured also in the States. Jimmy Martin released his first single in 1985 and by 1990 had produced his second solo album. His debut album "The Rhythm Of Life" including the hit single "I Can't Fight Love" hit the Canadian charts.
In John Rech created T42, a very popular band in Luxembourg. T42 is without doubt one of Luxembourg’s best rock exports and a band that has considerably influenced and marked the 90’s rock scene. From the early school gigs to the big open airs, they’ve played more concerts than any other local band before and released 6 albums in a decade.
In the 2002 Eternal Tango, hailing from Dudelange, has grown from being an insider tip to an established act quite quickly. They are right now the most famous band in Luxembourg.
In the film “Rocdoc” (2010), director Govinda Van Maele follows four Luxembourg rock/metal groups for an entire summer. Each stage of a musical career has its corresponding difficulties and conflicts, for most of the time revolving around the crucial question of whether you should “let everything go for the music”.
's music and cultural heritage is Germanic. The national music federation is the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
(UGDA); another important institution is the Luxembourg Conservatory of Music
with some 2,600 students each year. Annual music festival
s include the Echternach Music Festival
and the Rock um Knuedler
in Luxembourg City
. The national radio station, Radio Luxembourg
, is listened to throughout Europe. Modern Luxembourg is home to an array of performers, folk, classical and pop, as well as rock, hip hop
and other genres like hardstyle, jumpstyle and hardcore.
The national anthem
is "Ons Hémécht
" ("Our Homeland"), which was written by Jean-Antoine Zinnen
(music) and Michel Lentz
(lyrics). It has been the national anthem since 1895.
(1835–1902). Often referred to as Luxembourg's national composer, he was also an enthusiastic choirmaster, organist and teacher. In 1857, he founded the national choral association Sang a Klang. His many compositions include choral works, church music, orchestral pieces and operettas as well as music for brass bands and the theatre.
The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
, originally known as the RTL Grand Symphony Orchestra, was founded in 1933. Since 2005, when the Philharmonie Luxembourg
concert hall was opened, the orchestra has had its own home. Recent directors have done much to enhance its image, particularly in regard to 20th century French music. Opera is frequently performed in Luxembourg City
at the Grand Théâtre
and in Esch-sur-Alzette at the Théâtre d’Esch
as well as at the annual Wiltz
festival.
Luxembourg's internationally recognized soloists include violinist Sandrine Cantoreggi
, cellist Françoise Groben
, pianists Francesco Tristano Schlimé
and Jean Muller
, and singer Mariette Kemmer
. Among its contemporary composers are Camille Kerger
, Claude Lenners
, Georges Lentz
(although he lives mainly in Australia
), Alexander Mullenbach
and Marcel Wengler
. Since 1999, the Luxembourg Sinfonietta
orchestra has done much to promote contemporary music, not only by performing Luxembourg works at home and abroad but by organizing annual international competitions for contemporary composers.
and Gast Waltzing
, pianist Michel Reis
and percussionist Pascal Schumacher
. Waltzing has gained a name as a composer of film and TV music while Schumacher has performed worldwide with his Pascal Schumacher Quartet.
Philharmonie Luxembourg
The Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte Concert Hall is a concert hall located on the Kirchberg plateau in the City of Luxembourg. Opened in 2005, it now plays host to 400 performances each year and is one of the main concert halls in Europe.-Origins:...
concert hall provides an excellent venue for orchestral concerts while opera is frequently presented in the theatres. Rock, pop and jazz are also popular with a number of successful performers. The wide general interest in music and musical activities in Luxembourg can be seen from the membership of the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
The Union Grand-Duc Adolphe is the umbrella organization for music interests in Luxembourg, representing choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups...
, the national music federation for choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups. Some 340 music groups and associations with over 17,000 individual members are currently represented by the organization.
History
Music in what is now the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has a history stretching back to the Gallo-Roman period. The 3rd-century Roman mosaic from VichtenVichten
Vichten is a commune and small town in central Luxembourg, in the canton of Redange., the town of Vichten, which lies in the west of the commune, has a population of 723. Other towns within the commune include Michelbouch.-Gallery:...
presents excellent representations of the muses Euterpe
Euterpe
In Greek mythology, Euterpe + τέρπειν terpein ) was one of the Muses, the daughters of Mnemosyne, fathered by Zeus. Called the "Giver of delight", when later poets assigned roles to each of the Muses, she was the muse of music. In late Classical times she was named muse of lyric poetry and...
with her flutes and Erato
Erato
In Greek mythology, Erato is one of the Greek Muses. The name would mean "desired" or "lovely", if derived from the same root as Eros, as Apollonius of Rhodes playfully suggested in the invocation to Erato that begins Book III of his Argonautica....
playing the lyre, testifying to an early interest in music. The 6th-century Latin poet Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus was a Latin poet and hymnodist in the Merovingian Court, and a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. He was never canonised but was venerated as Saint Venantius Fortunatus during the Middle Ages.-Life:Venantius Fortunatus was born between 530 and 540 A.D....
tells us he was impressed by the music he heard in the region. From the 8th century, the Abbey of Echternach
Abbey of Echternach
The Abbey of Echternach is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Echternach, in eastern Luxembourg. The Abbey was founded by St Willibrord, the patron saint of Luxembourg, in the seventh century...
became an important centre for church music. Around the year 900, the abbey produced the Officium Sancti Willibrordi manuscript, one of the first examples of musical notation from Luxembourg.
After the Grand Duchy was established in 1815, interest in music slowly developed across the country, initially with patriotic music played by military bands. In 1842, the Luxembourg Army Band known as the Musique militaire grand-ducale was founded in Echternach with some 25 musicians from the battalion stationed there. In 1852, the Société philharmonique was founded in Ettelbrück
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck is a commune with city status in central Luxembourg, with a population of approximately 7,500. As of 2005, the town of Ettelbruck itself, which lies in the east of the commune, has a population of 6,191. The town of Warken and Grentzingen are also within the commune...
by the local priest J. B. Victor Müllendorf with the objective of "supporting all types of vocal and instrumental music". On the occasion of the first train from Luxembourg to Thionville
Thionville
Thionville , is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. The city is located on the left bank of the river Moselle, opposite its suburb Yutz.-Demographics:...
on 4 October 1859, the national poet Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz was a Luxembourgian poet. He is best known for having written Ons Hémécht, the national anthem of Luxembourg....
wrote the words and music for De Feierwon, a patriotic song with the famous line Mir welle bleiwe wat mir sin (We want to remain as we are).
In the middle of the 19th century, music and singing societies became increasingly popular. A series of local composers wrote vocal music and light pieces to be performed by the brass bands and choirs which were also emerging everywhere. They included Joseph-Alexandre Müller
Joseph-Alexandre Müller
Joseph-Alexandre Müller, often known simply as J. A. Müller, was a Luxembourg composer.Born on 16 July 1854 in Echternach, Müller was a primary school teacher...
, Louis Beicht
Louis Beicht
Louis Beicht was a Luxembourg composer.Born on 26 July 1886 in the Grund district of Luxembourg City, Beicht was a civil servant who composed marches, walzes, folk songs, chansons and theatre music...
and Emile Boeres
Emile Boeres
Jean-Pierre Emile Boeres was a Luxembourg composer, organist and choir master.Born on 13 November 1890 in Luxembourg City, he wrote operettas and musical comedies in Luxembourgish. In 1934, he founded the Wiener Operette and the Lëtzebuerger Musekerverband...
as well as Gustave Kahnt
Gustave Kahnt
Gustave Kahnt was a Luxembourg composer and conductor of German origin.Born in on 7 October 1948 in Berlin, Kahnt was naturalized as a Luxembourger in 1890. From 1881–1909, he was bandmaster of the Luxembourg Army's Military Band. He composed marches, folk songs, theatre music and operettas, often...
and Pol Albrecht
Pol Albrecht
-Biography:Born in Luxembourg City on 23 May 1874, Albrecht published his first marches in 1903. In 1909, he set to music a text by his friend Demy Schlechter creating the first of a long series of theatrical works. Leader of many choral societies and brass bands, he became deputy bandmaster of the...
who, apart from being prolific composers, were bandmasters for the Luxembourg Army Band.
1971 Monique Melsen represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Pomme Pomme Pomme" (Apple, Apple, Apple)
In the 80th and 90th of the last century several Luxembourgish musician were successful around the world. Ronny Riff had not only a hit single in Luxembourg but toured also in the States. Jimmy Martin released his first single in 1985 and by 1990 had produced his second solo album. His debut album "The Rhythm Of Life" including the hit single "I Can't Fight Love" hit the Canadian charts.
In John Rech created T42, a very popular band in Luxembourg. T42 is without doubt one of Luxembourg’s best rock exports and a band that has considerably influenced and marked the 90’s rock scene. From the early school gigs to the big open airs, they’ve played more concerts than any other local band before and released 6 albums in a decade.
In the 2002 Eternal Tango, hailing from Dudelange, has grown from being an insider tip to an established act quite quickly. They are right now the most famous band in Luxembourg.
In the film “Rocdoc” (2010), director Govinda Van Maele follows four Luxembourg rock/metal groups for an entire summer. Each stage of a musical career has its corresponding difficulties and conflicts, for most of the time revolving around the crucial question of whether you should “let everything go for the music”.
Overview
LuxembourgLuxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
's music and cultural heritage is Germanic. The national music federation is the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
Union Grand-Duc Adolphe
The Union Grand-Duc Adolphe is the umbrella organization for music interests in Luxembourg, representing choral societies, brass bands, music schools, theatrical societies, folklore associations and instrumental groups...
(UGDA); another important institution is the Luxembourg Conservatory of Music
Conservatoire de Luxembourg
The Conservatoire de Luxembourg is a conservatoire in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. The conservatoire was founded in 1906, after a private donation made possible its establishment, which had been mandated under a Grand Ducal decree issued in 1904...
with some 2,600 students each year. Annual music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
s include the Echternach Music Festival
Echternach Music Festival
The Echternach Music Festival is an international event which has been held in May and June every year since 1975 at Echternach in the east of Luxembourg. In addition to classical music, modern compositions are performed in the 18th century basilica of St Willibrord and in the church of St Peter...
and the Rock um Knuedler
Rock um Knuedler
Rock um Knuedler is a rock festival held every summer in the centre of Luxembourg City. Founded in 1991 when Luxembourg held the presidency of the European Union, it was originally designed for local groups but since 1995 it has also been a popular venue for foreign bands and artists...
in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
. The national radio station, Radio Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg may refer to:*Radio Luxembourg , a Long Wave commercial radio station that began broadcasting from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 1933...
, is listened to throughout Europe. Modern Luxembourg is home to an array of performers, folk, classical and pop, as well as rock, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and other genres like hardstyle, jumpstyle and hardcore.
The national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
is "Ons Hémécht
Ons Hémécht
"Ons Heemecht" is the national anthem of Luxembourg. The title in Luxembourgish translates as Our Homeland. Michel Lentz wrote the words in 1859, and they were set to music by Jean Antoine Zinnen in 1864...
" ("Our Homeland"), which was written by Jean-Antoine Zinnen
Jean Antoine Zinnen
Jean Antoine Zinnen was a Luxembourgian composer, best known for the Luxembourgian national anthem, Ons Hémécht.-Career:...
(music) and Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz
Michel Lentz was a Luxembourgian poet. He is best known for having written Ons Hémécht, the national anthem of Luxembourg....
(lyrics). It has been the national anthem since 1895.
Classical music
One of the most influential and versatile musicians in Luxembourg was Laurent MenagerLaurent Menager
Laurent Menager was a Luxembourg composer, choirmaster, organist and conductor who is often referred to as Luxembourg's national composer...
(1835–1902). Often referred to as Luxembourg's national composer, he was also an enthusiastic choirmaster, organist and teacher. In 1857, he founded the national choral association Sang a Klang. His many compositions include choral works, church music, orchestral pieces and operettas as well as music for brass bands and the theatre.
The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra , abbreviated to OPL, is the national orchestra of Luxembourg, and is based in Luxembourg City. The orchestra formerly performed at the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg and the Conservatoire de Luxembourg...
, originally known as the RTL Grand Symphony Orchestra, was founded in 1933. Since 2005, when the Philharmonie Luxembourg
Philharmonie Luxembourg
The Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte Concert Hall is a concert hall located on the Kirchberg plateau in the City of Luxembourg. Opened in 2005, it now plays host to 400 performances each year and is one of the main concert halls in Europe.-Origins:...
concert hall was opened, the orchestra has had its own home. Recent directors have done much to enhance its image, particularly in regard to 20th century French music. Opera is frequently performed in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
at the Grand Théâtre
Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg
The Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, inaugurated in 1964 as the Théâtre Municipal de la Ville de Luxembourg, underwent renovation work in 2002–2003 resulting in substantial improvements to the stage technology, acoustics and lighting facilities...
and in Esch-sur-Alzette at the Théâtre d’Esch
Théâtre d’Esch
Théâtre d’Esch is a theatre in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. Directed by Charles Muller, the main auditorium has 517 numbered seats. The theatre puts on performances of operas, operettas, concerts, dance performances, variety, jazz, songs, musicals and other entertainment.The smaller hall, with 100...
as well as at the annual Wiltz
Wiltz
Wiltz is a commune with city status in north-western Luxembourg, capital of the canton Wiltz. Wiltz is situated on the banks of the river Wiltz. It was also a battleground in the Battle of the Bulge, near the end of World War II...
festival.
Luxembourg's internationally recognized soloists include violinist Sandrine Cantoreggi
Sandrine Cantoreggi
Sandrine Marie Adèle Cantoreggi is a Luxembourgish violinist who has gained an international reputation, performing both at home and abroad as a soloist with orchestras and in recitals. She also teaches the violin at the Conservatoire de Luxembourg...
, cellist Françoise Groben
Françoise Groben
Françoise Groben was a Luxembourg cellist who performed widely and won several awards. She made recordings for radio, television and CDs.-Biography:...
, pianists Francesco Tristano Schlimé
Francesco Tristano Schlimé
Francesco Tristano Schlimé is a Luxembourg classical and modern jazz pianist who also plays the clarinet. He composes both classical music and jazz.-Education:...
and Jean Muller
Jean Muller
Jean Muller is a Luxembourg classical pianist. He has received several international awards and performed widely in Europe and beyond. Since 1997, he has made numerous recordings.-Education:...
, and singer Mariette Kemmer
Mariette Kemmer
Mariette Kemmer is a Luxembourg soprano singer who has performed in concerts and operas throughout Europe and in the United States. She also teaches at the Conservatoire in Esch-sur-Alzette.-Early life and education:...
. Among its contemporary composers are Camille Kerger
Camille Kerger
Camille Kerger is a Luxembourg composer, opera singer and music teacher. In 1996, he was a founding member of the Théâtre National de Luxembourg which he directed until 2006. Since 1982, he has composed a wide variety of chamber and orchestral works.-Early life:Kerger was born on 9 February 1957...
, Claude Lenners
Claude Lenners
Claude Lenners is a Luxembourg composer of mainly chamber and vocal works. In 1999, he founded Pyramide, an association for electronic music. Since 2004, he has headed its successor, Institut de recherche musicale.-Biography:...
, Georges Lentz
Georges Lentz
Georges Lentz is a contemporary composer and sound artist, born in Luxembourg in 1965, and is that country's internationally best known composer. Since 1990, he has been living in Sydney, Australia...
(although he lives mainly in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
), Alexander Mullenbach
Alexander Mullenbach
Alexander Mullenbach is a Luxembourg pianist, composer and conductor. Since 2002, he has been director of the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.-Career:...
and Marcel Wengler
Marcel Wengler
Marcel Wengler is a Luxembourg composer and conductor. He also plays the guitar and the mandolin. From 1972–1997, he headed the Conservatoire de Luxembourg. Since 2000, he has been director of the Luxembourg Music Information Centre...
. Since 1999, the Luxembourg Sinfonietta
Luxembourg Sinfonietta
The Luxembourg Sinfonietta is an orchestral ensemble for contemporary music in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Initially it consisted of 10 to 15 instruments, including tuba, accordion, mandolin and harpsichord but now typically extends to clarinet, clarinet bass, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone,...
orchestra has done much to promote contemporary music, not only by performing Luxembourg works at home and abroad but by organizing annual international competitions for contemporary composers.
Jazz
Jazz is thriving in Luxembourg with artists such as trumpeters Ernie HammesErnie Hammes
Ernie Hammes is a Luxembourg trumpeter who specializes in jazz but also plays classical music. He has played both solo and as first trumpet in the Big Bop Nouveau band, travelling to more than 25 countries while solidly supporting the Luxembourg jazz scene.-Biography:Born on 18 August 1968 in...
and Gast Waltzing
Gast Waltzing
Gaston Waltzing is a Luxembourg trumpeter and composer. He has created several jazz bands including Largo and the Luxembourg National Jazz Orchestra and has composed music for films and television programmes as well as operas combining classical music with jazz and rock.-Biography:Born in...
, pianist Michel Reis
Michel Reis
Michel Reis is a Luxembourg jazz pianist and composer who has performed internationally with a number of bands as well as solo.-Biography:Born in Luxembourg City on 11 September 1982, Reis began to play the piano when he was 8...
and percussionist Pascal Schumacher
Pascal Schumacher
Pascal Schumacher is a Luxembourg jazz musician, composer and percussionist who has founded a number of groups including the Pascal Schumacher Quartet. He also plays and composes classical chamber music.-Education:...
. Waltzing has gained a name as a composer of film and TV music while Schumacher has performed worldwide with his Pascal Schumacher Quartet.