Anniversary – Mercure Symphony Orchestra: 140 years of joy in making music

The founders of “MERKUR” are Franz De Angelis and Friedrich Grupp, both business associates. They initially played as a duo. Other musicians joined them, and from 1884 this band was called “1. Wiener Neustadter Merkurkabel”. They wanted to use the name to refer to their profession.

The band's first concert took place on October 14, 1893 at Dreher's Beer Hall. The conductor at that time was Ferdinand Wollner. The orchestra was well received and soon the Merkurkapelle was playing in various venues between Baden and Glognitz.

Official registration with the association authorities took place on January 1, 1899. Eventful years followed. But despite all the crises, the club was able to continue. Two world wars restricted the club's activities and resulted in the loss of instruments and sheet music, but performances were held again in 1945.

According to club records, harpist Karla Stuber was the first female member of the orchestra, accepted on August 20, 1924. But there were no more female musicians until the 1960s.

Since then, rehearsal locations have had to change several times, and coronavirus lockdowns caused concerts to be canceled for the first time. “Despite everything, we are able to celebrate the 140th anniversary of “MERKUR” this year, and we are in good spirits to convey our music to an attentive audience not only in Wiener Neustadt, but also, as was the case in the past, on other continents. “. says Paul Caracson, 13. president of the association. Incidentally, Willy Zwijtkovic is now the 11th division commander to hold the baton since its founding.

He chose a very special program for the anniversary concert: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Coronation Concerto (KV 537). Ines Schötengruber As soloist, Karl Cerny's “The Fire Ruins of Wiener Neustadt” in the orchestral version, Georges Bizet's “LArlèsienne Suite No. 1 and 2”, and finally Anton Bruckner's March in D minor. Tickets are available at the information point in the Old Town Hall, at www.webshop-wn.at and from Merkur Musicians.