A life dedicated to passion music: Markus Zwink becomes an honorary citizen - his praise goes to others

Created: 09/29/2022, 12:30 p.m

By: Tanja Brinkmann

He sets the tone: Since the Passion in 1990, Markus Zwink has put his heart and soul into the music for the vow play.

© Passion Play Oberammergau 2022/Sebastian Schulte

He is the innovator of passion music.

But that's not the only reason why Markus Zwink has earned merit.

For his commitment, the man from Oberammergau has now been made an honorary citizen.

Oberammergau – The music plays a special role in the Oberammergau Passion Play.

It doesn't just underline what's happening on stage.

By far not.

Rather, the choir and orchestra present the Living Pictures, the flashbacks to the Old Testament.

The singers and musicians convey the content, establish the connection to the passion story of Jesus.

Almost everyone who watched the vows commented on their performance.

To the delight of Markus Zwink.

The quality, the professionalism is above all his merit.

For more than four decades, the musical director of Passion has put his heart and soul into it - especially between the games.

Markus Zwink remains loyal to Oberammergau - "He would certainly have made it far elsewhere"

"That's why the municipal council decided to make him an honorary citizen," says Mayor Andreas Rödl (CSU).

A decision that was passed with a large majority.

"Hardly anyone doubts that Markus Zwink has made a name for himself," emphasizes Eugen Huber.

The second mayor (With a sense of proportion) has known him since they went to school together in Ettal - "he was a grade above me" - and appreciates him very much.

He "carefully developed" the passion music.

Huber considers it lucky for Oberammergau that Zwink has dedicated himself to his home town and conveys the joy of making music to young and old.

"He would certainly have made it far elsewhere."

Rödl is one of those who see firsthand what Zwink achieves, after all he sings in the passion choir.

"He has contributed a lot to the modernization of the whole." One reason why he is awarded.

General Music Director Eugen Papst (1886 to 1956), who reformed Rochus Dedler's Passion Music, is also on the list of honorary citizens.

In addition, Zwink's big topic is encouraging the people of Oberammergau to sing and play music from an early age, says Rödl.

Proof that this commitment is bearing fruit is the choir, in which there are many young singers.

"It's not a matter of course," emphasizes Zwink.

But an impressive proof "of the lively singing life with us".

Markus Zwink: "I'm just doing my job" - with passion

The 66-year-old is passionate about this.

"I'm just doing my job," he says, but immediately admits that it's also a matter close to his heart.

However, he sees the award of honorary citizenship not only as an award for himself, but also for “all the people around me who do an incredible amount of work for me.

I would be nothing without her."

First and foremost he speaks of his wife Gabriele Weinfurter-Zwink, who sings in the Bavarian Radio Choir and has long since made a name for herself as a soloist.

Before each performance, she takes care of warming up the choir.

But Zwink also thinks of Eva Kammerer and Dr.

Christian Wolf, the other two conductors at the Passion Play, with whom he complements each other wonderfully.

Zwink sees the award, which was bestowed on director Christian Stückl in May this year, as a reward for his commitment to the Vow Play, but also for composing – he keeps writing new passages for the Passion – and his pedagogical work.

"That this is appreciated makes me proud." It is not yet clear when and, above all, in what context he will be awarded honorary citizenship.

"I'm not a person for big events," he emphasizes.

If he has his way, it will be a "small but nice celebration with music".

Markus Zwink is looking forward to the end of the passion: "I can't hear it anymore"

But first Markus Zwink longs for the end of the Passion.

Sitting in the office during the game, he often thinks to himself: "I can't hear it anymore, now it's really good that it's coming to an end." Especially since the autumn temperatures have made it quite uncomfortable in the orchestra pit.

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What pleases him, looking back at the soon to be 110 performances, is the continued seriousness and motivation of his orchestra and choir members.

"The intensity of singing and making music has never diminished," emphasizes Zwink.

This intensity was also transferred to the time spent together backstage, you could feel it after every performance.

"The social cohesion is really great and probably also a significant guarantee for the constant joy of singing and playing on stage and in the orchestra pit."