A. Beer-Walbrunn: German song arrangements (Lars David Kellner)

Anton Beer-Walbrunn, composer and music pedagogue, was born in 1864 in Kohlberg in the Upper Palatinate. His Œuvre comprises works for virtually every type of instrument, including large-scale compositions for the organ. Although Beer-Walbrunn did not write any stand-alone solo works for the harmonium, this instrument plays a significant role in several of his orchestral works and operas.

Beer-Walbrunn made a lasting contribution to music education with his songbooks for girls’ high schools and boys’ middle schools. These collections combine sacred and secular folk songs as well as folk art songs and are closely aligned with the curricula of the time, in which singing played a central role. Even in the 1920s and 1930s, these songbooks were considered standard works for music education in schools.

The harmonium, whose sound production—similar to the human voice—is based on the carefully controlled use of air, proves particularly well-suited for the interpretation of this repertoire, artfully arranged by Beer-Walbrunn. Its tonal character combines resonance with a certain human intimacy, allowing it to shape melodic lines with nuance. The instrument’s qualities are particularly evident in a solo setting.

The performer Lars David Kellner, a native of the neighboring community of Kohlberg, plays selected song sets from these collections on his suction-wind art harmonium. With its characteristic sound, reminiscent of the accordion, the harmonium also builds a bridge to the South German folk music tradition, in which similar timbres have long been firmly rooted.

Martin Valeske, Lars David Kellner

Recording: Kohlberg, Lindholm art harmonium (suction wind), live.

Lars David Kellner, harmonium.