A march for the Oide Wiesn

Created: 09/16/2022, 19:00

The Gräfelfingers Michael and Frank Kumeth (from left) composed a Bavarian anthem, which will also be played at the Oidn Wiesn.

© Dagmar Rutt

The brothers Michael and Franz Kumeth had a dream: to play their own Bavarian anthem with a large brass band.

This dream is now being fulfilled to coincide with the start of the Wiesn.

Gräfelfing

– The marching song is entitled “My beautiful Bavarian country”.

Michael Kumeth composed it on his Styrian harmonica back in 2016. At that time it was still called "Silvia Marsch".

"But it was always our wish that the march could be played with a large brass band," says Michael Kumeth.

The brothers from the Würmtal wanted to create a hearty, soulful Bavarian anthem.

"Similar to that in Tyrol," says Franz Kumeth.

There, "Dem Land Tirol die Treue" is considered the "secret Tyrolean national anthem" and is part of the regular repertoire of the bands at the Oktoberfest.

Gräfelfinger composes "My beautiful Bavarian country" on accordion

The Kumeths actually found the perfect arranger for them in Mathias Gronert, musician, conductor and sound engineer, they say.

Gronert wrote the score for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horns, trombone, tuba and percussion and recorded it with his Egerländer Gold brass band.

Another step in the right direction for the Kumeths.

But now the right text was needed.

The older of the two brothers primarily took over this task.

Franz Kumeth, now retired, formerly a car mechanic with his own workshop, has been a folk musician since childhood and is known for his humorous Gstanzl.

This is how the march “Mein schön Bayernland” came about from the instrumental piece.

Franz Kumeth was supported in writing the lyrics by his brother Michael and sister-in-law Silvia Kumeth.

It was clear from the start that the text had to have something to do with Bavaria.

"It's important to us to transport this feeling of home," explains Michael Kumeth.

Bayern-Marsch will be heard on September 21st at the Oidn Wiesn

The 52-year-old is a thoroughbred musician himself and has been part of the duo "Ziachduo Andi & Michael" for over 25 years.

The two have traveled all over the world with their harmonica compositions.

You have played in Holland, in Japan at the Hofbräuhaus in Tokyo, America and South Africa.

Kumeth: “When you take your Lederhosen out of your suitcase in Tokyo, you immediately feel at home.

This Bavarian connection, this tradition is important to us.”

Now the march just needs to be heard everywhere.

"It would be nice if other brass bands would include the track on their CDs," says Michael Kumeth.

"My beautiful Bayerland", sung by Martin Köteles, can already be heard on Youtube.

However, the brothers are really looking forward to Wednesday, September 21st.

Then their Bavarian March will be heard live in the “Tradition” marquee at the Oidn Wiesn.

Played by "Die Schwarzwälder Musikanten" between 12 and 4 p.m.