English Translation

HOW ALT IS THE GERMAN MILITARY MUSIC How old is it? Who can answer this question? As old as the soldierhood itself. If we look at the instrument occupation of a military band today, it is clear that this occupation can only have emerged gradually. However, there are instruments that were played already in the Middle Ages and which have proved themselves to be the best in war and peace. Therefore they were retained because of their simplicity and sound beauty. There are first drum and pipe of our toymen. These instruments come from the Landsknecht period. Just as at that time each faehnlein (100 to 120 Landsknnehne) had two whistlers and two drummers, so still today each company has four playmen. However, the drums have been converted into today's flat form over the last hundred years. Until then, the infantry carried drums with large cauldrons up to 50 cm deep. The pipes, however, were still used today in their simple form at that time. Some trumpet pieces have survived from the Middle Ages and are still very popular among the people today. The actual origin of the military march falls into the period of the 30-year war. The composers of the march from this time: March of the Finnish horsemen, Pappenheimer Fanfare and the The Ständetheater around 1830 / From a lithograph by R. Grißler With the introduction of the parade step the importance of military music grew. King Friedrich Wilhelm I had him raised by the Hessian lieutenant v. Kalkstein in the Potsdam Lustgarten with the long guys – the test and teaching force of the king – transferred to the Prussian army. He was so delighted with the success that he ordered him on foot for all his regiments. From austerity considerations, the king dissolved his then court chapel and placed their members in the music corps of his body regiment. From the time of Frederick the Great many regiment marches come: march of the regiment of Thile, of Treskow, of Bornstedt, Prince Heinrich, etc. The most famous march from this time is "The Hohenfriedberger". It is said to have been composed by Friedrich the Great himself.