It is, once again, "Guggenmusik" festival in Schwäbisch Gmünd. 20 bands with 700 musicians have come from the German-speaking areas of Europe including Switzerland, the country of origin of Guggenmusik. It sounds like they don't know what they are doing, but they are all accomplished musicians. The "Zunft" (guild) call themselves the "Falschspieler und Krachmacher" (cats' music and noise makers).

We meet Wolfgang Pösselt, who studied in Basel and there participated in a Guggenmusik band. After his return he started Guggenmusik in Schwäbisch Gmünd. He tells how difficult it was at first to get Guggenmusik going. Fastnacht has been celebrated in Schwäbisch Gmünd since 1417. Guggenmusik is a new addition since 1978. Now it is 16 years later and Guggenmusik is taking Germany by storm.

At 6 p.m. the "Gassafetzä (Alley Cats), the local Guggenmusik band, opens the monster concert, the high point of the festival. For 3 hours they entertain 10,000 visitors in the Market Square of town. Imported from Basel, it is very rhythmic, played by ear and from the heart. It is performed by drums, brass instruments, the older and rustier, the better, and anything else that makes noise. A few instruments carry the melody, the rest provides a continuous beat.

A brief interlude takes us to "Morgenstraich" in Basel, held the Monday after Ash Wednesday in the early morning. The Fasnacht in Basel is orderly, everything is carefully controlled by the cliques. No outside groups are allowed. When Guggenmusik appeared it was quickly banished from Morgenstraich and the bands placed themselves onto Tuesday, when other bands now join with the Baselers to parade through the streets.

We learn about the history of Guggenmusik from Dominik Wunderlin, Fastnacht researcher from Basel. The beating of drums and other noise goes back to the 16th century and was to drive away the evil spirits and demons of winter. A "Gugg" is a paper bag. Guggenmusik appeared in the early 1900s and is mentioned for the first time in 1907 "Gugge-Musik Basel." A German forerunner referred to it as "Katzenmusik (cats' music). It was started by Emil Jeisi, owner of a restaurant, possibly with an eye to provide music for the restaurant business. The Jeisi-Migger are the oldest existing Guggenmusik band in Basel and are proud of their tradition.

After the concert the celebrations continue in local pubs. The next morning the 20 bands play for a packed audience of 4,000 in the Sporthalle. The most original Guggenmusik instrument receives an award. This is video Order Nr. EB 9393. For those interested in learning more about Fasnacht/Fasnet, "Treffpunkt," a German Television Series of SDR/SWF that broadcasts half hour programs on folklore subjects, made videos of several of these celebrations. All videos are in color, and in German, app. 30 minutes. Available from the
German Language Video Center
7625 Pendleton Pike
Indianapolis, IN 46226
317-547-1257; FAX 1+3175471263

Web exercise on Guggenmusik by Deutsch im Netz.