Authentic, varied and lively: Tirolean music tradition is kept alive by many folk music groups and more than 300 brass bands.
Tirol’s musical image beyond its national borders was formed in the 19th Century by touring singers and musicians, who took their traditional costumes with “Schuhplattler” alpine dancers and yodelling as far as America.
However, far away from the commercial music business, traditional folk music continues to thrive in the midst of many Tirolean families, small groups and villages. Since 1974, Innsbruck has hosted the „Alpine Folk Music Competition" every two years, which attracts many groups and traditional folk music “greats” from the entire alpine region to the provincial capital.
Tirolean Folk Music Association · Gabelsbergerstraße 1 · 6020 Innsbruck · +43.512.395566 · tvmv@tiroler-volksmusikverein.at · www.tiroler-volksmusikverein.at
You can enjoy original Tirolean folk music at the Tirolean Evening at Gasthaus Sandwirt in Innsbruck. These Tirolean evenings with the Gundolf family have been entertaining Innsbruck’s guests for over 40 years now. The incredibly diverse programme consists mostly of traditional Tirolean folk music with varied instruments, Tirolean dances with the inimitable thigh slapping “Schuhplattler” dancers, as well as typical Tirolean singing and yodelling.
From Oom-Pah to Classic
Brass music has a great tradition in Tirol. Almost every small village has its own brass band. The Tirolean Brass Band Association can boast of 303 member bands from 19 districts, with over 15,650 performing musicians. These many bands strengthen the community feeling and sense of regional identity. With their colourful costumes and beautiful music, they create a dignified backdrop for many festivals.
Tirolean Brass Music Association · Klostergasse 1 · 6020 Innsbruck · +43.512.572333 · office@blasmusikverband-tirol.at · www.blasmusikverband-tirol.at
Tirolean and foreign brass bands meet every year in summer in the beautiful ambience of the inner courtyard of the Hofburg for the Innsbruck Promenade Concerts. Not only do they provide visiting guests and locals with top class entertainment, they bridge the gap between „serious“ and „light music“. In doing so, they maintain an old Austrian tradition of transcribing works by great composers of brass and military orchestra music in order to bring them closer to “the people”.
Open-Air Concerts
Most town bands in the country perform outdoor concerts in summer. More information on the concerts and venues is available from local tourist information offices.
