
Concert Band
CAFFEE Variations
Info
The majestic Lichtenberg Castle is located in the vicinity of the western Palatinate city of Kusel. It houses a musicians’ museum that is worth visiting. This museum is dedicated to the Palatinate migratory musicians who were forced to perform in small groups abroad. It was an area of utmost poverty. The land did not allow farming, and there were no other possibilities to find any work. This is why so many men did become musicians. They went to play music in Paris, London, even in New York, Berlin and so on.
When the Dutch composer Kees Vlaak was awarded a prize there, he sat down in the tower chamber of Lichtenberg Castle and began composing. His “C-a-f-f-e-e Variations” are his way to express his gratitude and he selected an interesting subtitle for his work: “How migratory musicians from the Palatinate drank their coffee all over the world.”
Variation 1 therefore refers to Ireland and Irish Coffee.
Rüdesheim on the Rhine is described in Variation 2.
The tarantella of Variation 3 alludes to a fine capuccino.
Variation 4 comes from Moscow, where vodka is served with the coffee.
Variation 5 introduces a fine Alpine mocca.
Variation 6 is dedicated to the Vienna melange and the capital of Austria.
Finally Variation 7 evokes the memory of the "Folies Bergère" and the "Moulin Rouge" of Paris - French coffee with Grand Marnier.
The "Caffee Variations" is a hilarious, almost ingenious composition and a lot of fun for both musicians and listeners.

See also
Lord of Seven Seas
MVSR036-2
Lord of Seven Seas - La Gazza Ladra (Die diebische Elster) - Clarinessa - Kap Arkona - Polonez - Blaze Away (Feuert Los!) - Sonatina Classica per Banda - Celtic Flutes - Caffee Variations - Mein Regiment - Pavane pour Bowine - 3 Tops - Großherzog ...
Deutschlandbilder
MVSR2602
“Deutschlandbilder” (Pictures of Germany) is a beautiful tone painting, dignified, but also full of wit and with a joyful wink. This is why Alfred Boesendorfer subtitled his composition „Capriccio”, a playful and humoristic ...
Panta Rhei
MVSR2682
When band leader Sylvia Baratti-Mannsbart asked me to write a piece for the Atzenbach Community Band, I instantly realized that this piece had to be something special. One reason was a double anniversary: the 900th town jubilee and the 150th band ...
Wildenstein
MVSR2603
"Wildenstein" is based on an old legend from the Wehratal, a valley in the Southern Black Forest. The music, combining modern elements with a reminiscence of medieval music, draws pictures of the old tale, but the work can also stand by ...