As of: March 30, 2024, 7:56 a.m
By: Nicole Kalenda
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Expanded and for the first time on recycled paper: Brother Carsten Meister (l.) and Father Christian Rentsch with the new program by Maria Eich. © Dagmar Rutt
Concerts in the open air and with free admission: With “Maria Eich SummerLights” the Planegger Augustiner have created a new event format. On the four Fridays in July they build a bridge between brass music and singer-songwriters.
Planegg
- Maria Eich's Augustinians are breaking new ground. For the first time since they took over the pilgrimage curate in Planegg over seven decades ago, they are inviting people to open-air concerts in front of the outdoor altar. “In a world in which religion is breaking away from traditional forms, it has to reach people differently,” says Brother Carsten Meister. Now the Augustinians are launching the “Maria Eich SummerLights” test balloon: every Friday evening in July there is live music at the pilgrimage site - with free admission.
The fact that the Augustinians have expanded their annual program is primarily due to Brother Carsten, who moved from the Würzburg main house of the German Augustinian Province to Planegg last October. In contrast to his fellow brothers Father Christian Rentsch, Father Alfred Issing and Father Felix Meckl, the 47-year-old monk is not a theologian, but a graphic designer, digital artist and responsible for public relations for the German Augustinians. He has already gained experience with concerts in the Augustinian Church in Würzburg. He is now continuing this in the open air in Planegg.
Brass music to start
“Brother Carsten should do what is close to his heart,” says Father Christian, prior of the monastery. Brother Carsten emphasizes that the realignment was a joint decision. Work on the program began last June and lasted around three months. At that time it was already clear that Brother Carsten would move to the Planegger Convent.
So far, the pilgrimage site has not been used for events outside of the narrow church service, says Father Christian. That should change now. “We have someone who knows the technology and we have this beautiful place.” In order to build a bridge to what has already existed in Maria Eich, the Schöngeisinger Blasmusik is opening the Open on Friday, July 5th -Air series. She has been a guest several times. “Brass music is part of a Bavarian pilgrimage site,” says Father Christian.
On Friday, July 12th, it continues with “Carolin No”, a Würzburg duo that started with minimalist pop and developed into a singer-songwriter direction, with influences from blues, jazz, country and electro. “Deep lyrics, beautiful lyrics,” says brother Carsten. Carolin and Andreas Obieglo play pieces from their new album “ON&ON”.
On Friday, July 19th, the Munich trio “Café Voyage” will be a guest, which describes itself as “a song poet who also finds the nuances, a classical cellist who looks beyond the orchestra, and an accomplished and creative one Jazz guitarists”.
Donation basket
The four-part concert series concludes on Friday, July 26th with “lightsigns – An Evening with Songs of Enya”. The Aschaffenburg ensemble has set itself the task of arranging pieces by the Irish artist Enya, who became famous in 1988 with “Orinoco Flow”. I prefer to play in large church rooms, where spirituality and music can best unfold. Brother Carsten arranged the light show at a concert in Würzburg's Augustinian Church. “It’s very low-threshold. We have seen that it works well,” he says.
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There are different personal relationships with all four groups, which is why a commitment was uncomplicated. “The bands and the band were ready immediately,” says Brother Carsten. It was important to him and his fellow brothers that entry was free. “It should be accessible to everyone.” Sponsors are still being sought and a donation basket will be circulating. The monks hope to be able to cover the costs. Brother Carsten: “We kept it in such a way that we could manage it.” He sees the concerts as an opportunity to increase Maria Eich’s awareness. Father Christian says: “If people go home afterwards with a good impulse, then it went well.”
The concerts start at 8.30 p.m. and take place in the pilgrimage church if the weather is bad. Information is available at www.maria-eich.de.