I choose a seat on the right side of the stage next to a gentleman and a lady, am served my cappuccino and am immediately drawn out of my thoughts when the music starts. I find it amazing how live music can instantly pull us out of the many concerns going through our heads.
Band member, Bea de la Vega, has a wonderful, smooth voice. It's a delight to listen to her from the first note onwards. Together with Thekla Schirz, Magda Steiner and Martin Langer, the four of them lead us with their beautifully played Celtic Folk Music to Ireland. And as many Irish people emigrated to the US and Canada (as Bea tells us between the songs), they somehow also take us a little bit to North America. It is difficult for me to describe the music for I do not remember if and when I have heard Celtic Folk before. I find it inspiring to broaden my mind and learn about this new kind of music. The instruments are also unusual to me: mandolin, Irish bouzouki, tin whistle... very beautiful to listen to. But by far the most interesting instrument is: the shrutibox! I have never seen (or heard) anything like this...
I enjoy every song, listen to the explanations about the contents by Bea, let myself be drawn away into the times when those songs were played regularly (Bea tells us you can still hear some of these in pubs around Ireland today). When after about 45-50 minutes (Martin tells us this is only an appetizer, not a full concert!) of enjoying the music and, towards the end, even singing along with the band (they invited us to do it!), the set comes to an end, we manage, by our clapping hands, to make them play two extra songs.
Inspired by the live-music played and the good vibes after this appetizer concert ("All Souls Night" has other gigs to come! If you want to see a full concert you can check out the dates on www.allsoulsnight.at), I change tables, plunge into conversations and enjoy another nice hour just chatting to everyone and having a good time.
Thank you very much to the Hotel Sheraton Grand for having us! Thank you very much to "All Souls Night" for entertaining us with your beautiful music! And thank you very much to all the members and friends who joined us for another one of our special AAS After Work Cocktail gatherings!
Looking forward to seeing you next time!
Text: Manuela Schnegg Pictures: AAS Salzburg
