King of trumpet makers retires
Culture
In Bischofshofen (Pongau), the legendary and internationally renowned instrument maker Martin Lechner is now retiring. As a farewell – and shortly before celebrating his 70th birthday in August – he brought the German trumpet legend Walter Scholz, a specialist in classical music and other styles, to town.
Walter Scholz has been loyal to the Lechner trumpet brand for more than 40 years. At this year’s Bischofshofen Festival Summer he plays without honor.
The good relationships between Martin Lechner and his artists are also the reason for the broad program. His instruments are also played by the Vienna Philharmonic. Now the Pongau expert stops: “I always listened to people, what was interesting for them. We have to make a program in the countryside that people can understand.”
B’hofen cultural summer brings new jobs
Martin Lechner is convinced that concerts like the one on Thursday evening in the parish church also liven up the town of Bischofshofen. He also organized the summer festival this year: “I’m always looking for jobs to be created. At a festival like this, the city is booming with guests.”
guests from home and abroad
Bischofshofen is a town that is not exactly known for mass tourism. There are only 367 guest beds – and that with almost 11,000 inhabitants. Mayor Hansjörg Obinger (SPÖ) says that a large number of musicians will come from all over the world: “Of course, the audience from near and far also stimulates our economy.”
Professional musicians are enthusiastic about the highest quality
The trumpet that the now 84-year-old Walter Scholz played on Thursday evening was also built in Martin Lechner’s workshop – custom-made, as Scholz explains: “I chose a bell – and it has remained so to this day. Also for concerts with music by Haydn.”
Customer and master became close friends – that too is a secret of the Bischofshofen Festival Summer. It seems clear that there will be no more events like this next year. According to Mayor Obinger, the city will definitely keep the brand.